asked the Minister for Health if he has obtained reports of heart valve replacement failures recently, particularly involving the use of heart valves distributed by a company (details supplied) in the United States; the number of such failures that have been reported to his Department in 1982, 1983, 1984 and to date in 1985; if he will state his Department's view in relation to their quality and standard of the valves being supplied by this company, and the action his Department propose to take to have the problem rectified.
Written Answers. - Heart Valve Replacement Failures.
118.
Neither I, nor my Department, have received any reports of heart valve replacement failures. The information available to me is that the valves in question have not been used in this country for a number of years. In relation to the particular case referred to by the Deputy, I understand that this patient had one valve failure some years ago but that subsequent surgery which the patient underwent related to problems other than valve failure.