ORANGE COUNTY

Heart Valve Makers Search for Recipients: The Irvine maker of a heart valve implanted in 20,000 patients worldwide is searching for the recipients to warn them of a mechanical problem that could be fatal. Edwards CVS, a division of Baxter Health Care Corp., said the Edwards-Duromedics Bileaflet heart valves with model numbers 3160 and 9120 could fail. The valve was also marketed as the Hemix Scientific Bileaflet heart valve. Robert Chin, a Baxter vice president, said the symptoms of valve failure include sudden, severe rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath and chest pain. The company is contacting hospitals and physicians in an effort to locate valve recipients. He said there have been 26 failures reported in all, and eight of the patients died. Patients with the valves should call the company at (800) 424-3278.