PMID: 15222276Jun 30, 2004Paper

Management of prosthetic valve thrombosis

The Journal of Heart Valve Disease
Maria Lengyel

Abstract

Prosthetic valve thrombosis (PVT) is a life-threatening disease, the treatment strategies for which remain controversial. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is the diagnostic technique of choice. Prosthetic valve obstruction is defined as limited leaflet motion; obstructive and non-obstructive PVT are separated by abnormal or normal leaflet motion. TEE is limited in differentiating thrombus from pannus ('tissue ingrowth'), and sterile thrombi from infected vegetations. Clinical aspects are helpful. The estimated incidence of PVT is 2-4% per year based on autopsy and surgical findings. The true incidence should be higher, as TEE reveals almost as many obstructive as non-obstructive PVT, of which 50% are asymptomatic. The prevalence of asymptomatic non-obstructive PVT in the early postoperative period may reach 10%. Three therapeutic approaches are available for PVT. Surgical mortality may reach 69%, depending on NYHA class and need for emergency surgery. Thrombolysis represents an alternative to surgery, with 84% success and low complication rates (stroke 9%, mortality 5%). In non-obstructive PVT patients in NYHA class I or II, thrombolysis success was higher (92%), without severe complications. No other clinical predictor o...Continue Reading

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.

Related Papers

The Journal of Heart Valve Disease
Maria LengyelWorking Group Infection, Thrombosis, Embolism and Bleeding of the Society for Heart Valve Disease
The Journal of Heart Valve Disease
Christopher A RinaldiJohn B Chambers
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved