Acute occlusion of a bileaflet mechanical mitral valve prosthesis resulting from external cardiac compression

Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography : Official Publication of the American Society of Echocardiography
Thomas M BurchK Annette Mizuguchi

Abstract

A 45-year-old woman with a history of rheumatic mitral disease underwent valve replacement. After surgery, the patient became hemodynamically unstable. A transesophageal echocardiogram showed an underfilled left ventricle with a clot impinging on the lateral aspect of the left ventricle and a malfunctioning mitral valve prosthesis. After evacuation of the clot in the operating room, the mitral valve prosthesis began functioning normally. The prosthesis malfunction resulted from external cardiac compression. This dynamic device malfunction was replicated when the surgeon compressed the lateral aspect of the heart. To our knowledge, this dynamic form of leaflet dysfunction from external compression has not been described. This case highlights the importance of closely evaluating prosthetic valve function in the setting of hemodynamic deterioration.

References

Feb 22, 2007·Anesthesia and Analgesia·Daniel BolligerManfred D Seeberger
Nov 29, 2007·Anesthesia and Analgesia·David A Pybus

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Blood Clotting Disorders

Thrombophilia includes conditions with increased tendency for excessive blood clotting. Blood clotting occurs when the body has insufficient amounts of specialized proteins that make blood clot and stop bleeding. Here is the latest research on blood clotting disorders.