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Albert Starr

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description Albert Starr Overview

Albert Starr is an American cardiac surgeon who worked with engineer Lowell Edwards to develop the Starr-Edwards prosthetic heart valve. In 1960, Starr implanted their ball-and-cage valve successfully in the mitral position, helping make surgical valve replacement a practical treatment for severe valvular disease. The device became widely used, while its design also illustrated the importance of collaboration between surgeons and biomedical engineers.

help Albert Starr FAQ

What did Albert Starr and Lowell Edwards each contribute to the Starr-Edwards valve?

Albert Starr supplied the cardiac-surgery expertise, while Lowell Edwards brought engineering experience to the prosthesis project. Their collaboration produced a durable ball-and-cage mechanical heart valve.

Where was the first successful Starr-Edwards valve implanted?

Starr successfully implanted the prosthesis in the mitral position in 1960. That operation helped demonstrate that surgical replacement of a diseased heart valve could become a practical treatment.

How does a Starr-Edwards ball-and-cage valve work?

Blood flow pushes a ball away from the valve opening and into a surrounding cage. When pressure reverses, the ball returns to the opening and limits backward flow.

Are Starr-Edwards valves still encountered in patients?

Yes, some recipients have lived for decades with these highly durable mechanical valves. The design has largely been superseded by lower-profile tilting-disc and bileaflet valves, but it remains important in the history of cardiac surgery.

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