Melody valve in mitral position: Complete fracture causing acute mitral stenosis in a child

We present a case of a 7‐year‐old boy with a history of multiple mitral valve interventions and subsequent Melody valve placement in the mitral position, who presented with acute mitral stenosis due to complete fracture of the Melody stent. He was born early with severe mitral and tricuspid insufficiency due to valvular dysplasia, and ended up with 4 sternotomies before the age of 2 due to mitral valve dysfunction and recurrent prosthetic valve thrombosis. He then developed mixed stenosis and regurgitation at age 6, and to avoid another sternotomy, valve‐in‐valve therapy with off‐label use of a 20‐mm Melody valve was done with hybrid procedure via trans‐apical approach. Eight months later he presented with acutely worsened mitral stenosis (mean gradient 20 mm Hg), due to fracture of the proximal stent. While the safety and efficacy of the Melody valve has been well established especially in the pulmonary position, stent fracture is a known and potentially serious complication. As with any novel valve therapy, close follow‐up and frequent imaging may be warranted to watch for loss of stent integrity, particularly if clinical symptoms of valve dysfunction occur.     

Transvalvular mitral regurgitation following mitral valve replacement a diagnostic dilemma

After mitral valve replacement with a prosthetic valve, the valve should be competent and there should not be any residual prosthetic valve regurgitation. Transvalvular residual prosthetic valve regurgitation are difficult to diagnose and quantify. we are reporting interesting TEE images as a diagnostic dilemma in a case of transvalvular mitral regurgitation following mitral valve replacement secondary to entrapment of sub-valvular apparatus in a Chitra mechanical heart valve.     

Replacement of an immobile prosthetic mitral valve: a case report.

A mechanical prosthetic heart valve can become acutely obstructed despite anticoagulation therapy. This can be a life-threatening complication. We report the case of a 38-year-old woman who survived obstruction of her Sorin prosthetic mitral valve. She was admitted to the hospital because of severe pulmonary edema. On auscultation, mechanical valve sounds were absent. Transthoracic echocardiography showed an immobile mechanical valve. The patient suffered a cardiac arrest while being prepared for surgery, but she underwent successful mitral valve replacement after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. When patients with prosthetic mitral valves present with acute dyspnea, the possibility of an obstructed prosthetic valve must be considered in the differential diagnosis.     

Recurrent thrombosis of a mitral mechanical heart valve prosthesis during puerperium--a case report

A case of a 27-year-old female with prosthetic mitral valve is presented. Prolonged anticoagulation therapy was continued during pregnancy without complications. During puerperium, the dose of subcutaneous low molecular weight heparin was reduced due to subcutaneous blood effusions. Subsequently, the patient developed acute left ventricular heart failure due to prosthetic valve thrombosis. She underwent urgent surgery with new prosthetic valve implantation. Two weeks later she suffered another episode of acute mitral prosthetic valve thrombosis which was effectively treated with intravenous heparin. Difficulties concerning prolonged anticoagulation during pregnancy and puerperium in patients with prosthetic valves are discussed.     

Localized left atrial administration of tPA for the treatment of mechanical mitral valve thrombosis

Prosthetic valve thrombosis is a dangerous and unfortunately not uncommon medical situation, often seen as a medical emergency. Patients with previously unseen and more confounding medical problems are presenting, making the decision regarding therapeutic options even more complicated. In this case report, we describe a complicated patient with mechanical mitral valve prosthesis placed secondary to rheumatic heart disease, with multiple co‐morbidities including severe left ventricular dysfunction, permanent artrial fibrillation, left femoral deep vein thrombosis, and non‐sustained ventricular tachycardia, who presented with acute valve thrombosis. The patient' history of hemorrhagic stroke and multiple acute ischemic strokes represented an absolute contraindication to more conventional forms of therapy such as intravenous systemic thrombolytics. In the following case report, we present an unprecedented approach to prosthetic valve thrombosis in this seemingly no‐option patient. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Assessment of normal and abnormal prosthetic mitral valves by Doppler echocardiography Doppler in prosthetic mitral valves

Pulsed, continuous-wave, and color Doppler were performed in 165 normal mitral prostheses and 58 patients with prosthetic dysfunction (46 regurgitant and 12 obstructive valves) proved by catheterization and/or surgery. Mean mitral gradient (MG) and pressure half-time (PHT) were determined in all cases.Among normal prostheses, a wide range of both MG and PHT was observed in each type of valve and a considerable overlap between valves of different size. St-Jude's valve had the most optimal hemodynamics. Mild mitral insufficiency was detected in 14% of tissue and 24% of mechanical mitral valves.Repeat studies were performed in 30 patients over a 2.4 years period. Nine patients developed Doppler evidence of new prosthetic dysfunction, while Doppler parameters remained unchanged in 21 patients during the follow-up period.Among malfunctioning valves, Doppler correctly identified all cases of prosthetic obstruction (n=12), and 42 of 46 regurgitant valves.We conclude that Doppler echocardiography is a very useful technique in both non-invasive assessment and follow-up of normal prosthetic valves in the mitral position and in detecting prosthetic dysfunction, especially when prosthetic obstruction is present.     

Images in cardiovascular medicine: prosthetic aortic valve and conduit dehiscence with large periconduit cavity, ascending aortic aneurysm and severe mitral regurgitation

Prosthetic aortic valve and conduit dehiscence with periconduitcavity and ascending aortic aneurysm is an uncommon complicationof aortic root surgery. It is usually recognizable at echocardiographydue to an abnormal position of the prosthetic valve and conduitin relation to the native aortic annulus in conjunction withan abnormal echolucent periconduit space that fills with colorflow. Mitral regurgitation is an unusual complication of thiscondition. We present a patient with severe mitral regurgitation secondaryto prosthetic aortic valve and conduit dehiscence with a largepericonduit cavity and aneurysm of the intervalvular fibrosa.The mechanism of mitral regurgitation is secondary to functionalinvolvement of the anterior mitral valve leaflet and intervalvularfibrosa with anterior mitral leaflet restriction in conjunctionwith mild left ventricular remodeling. Significant mitral regurgitationpersisted post resection of the periconduit cavity and aorticvalve replacement, requiring mitral valve replacement. This case study reports a new mechanism of mitral regurgitationin the setting of prosthetic aortic valve and conduit dehiscence.     

Indications for surgical replacement of the mitral valve. With particular reference to common and uncommon causes of mitral regurgitation.

Mitral valve replacement is considered when there is severe mitral stenosis, severe mitral insufficiency or a combination of the two. Ordinarily, surgical replacement is considered only for patients who are in functional classes III or IV and do not respond to medical management. Patients with symptomatic mitral stenosis should be treated with mitral commissurotomy whenever possible. Patients selected for commissurotomy should have a pliable valve, no other major valve dysfunction, sinus rhythm, no systemic embolism and good left ventricular function. Early operation is not ordinarily required. Mitral insufficiency may require mitral valve replacement in six rather common settings: rheumatic disease, rupture of mitral chordae tendineae, postinfarction rupture of a papillary muscle, intractable infective endocarditis, floppy mitral valve and malfunction of a prosthetic valve. Rupture of mitral chordae tendineae can usually be recognized from the history, physical examination, echocardiogram and angiocardiogram. Severe left ventricular papillary muscle dysfunction is usually due to cardiac infarction, and occurs within the first 9 days of infarction. When only a papillary muscle tip is ruptured the patient may survive long enough for a mitral valve replacement. In infective endocarditis, operation is more often needed because of congestive heart failure than because of refractory infection. Evidence of mitral stenosis or insufficiency in a patient with a previously implanted prosthetic valve usually indicates an urgent need for study and early operation. Uncommon causes of mitral incompetence that may require valve replacement are endocardial fibroelastosis, Marfan's syndrome, calcified mitral anulus, osteogenesis imperfecta, methysergide-induced heart disease and carcinoid heart disease.     

Leaflet escape in a TRI bileaflet rotatable mitral valve

Acute prosthetic valve dysfunction is a critical condition for any patient, and is associated with a high mortality. A 24-year-old man who had undergone mitral valve replacement with a TRI bileaflet valve four months previously at another center was admitted with acute-onset left ventricular failure. Echocardiography showed massive mitral insufficiency which was suggestive of a stuck valve. Emergency surgery was carried out, at which the cranial leaflet was found to be stuck open. There was no tissue impingement and thrombosis, the caudal leaflet was absent, and there were no signs of endocarditis or pannus formation. The TRI valve was removed and a replacement 25 mm bileaflet mechanical valve inserted. The embolized leaflet was found in the terminal aorta, but the patient died on day 66 after surgery due to sepsis which had developed from aspiration pneumonia. This is the first report of leaflet escape and terminal aortic embolization with the TRI bileaflet rotatable mitral valve. Acute deterioration of a patient with a prosthetic heart valve should suggest valve dysfunction for which appropriate treatment is rapid relief of the failing left ventricle and replacement of the defective valve with a functioning prosthesis.     

Thrombosis of mitral valve prosthesis presenting as abdominal pain.

A 67-year-old woman presented with abdominal pain, anemia, and leukocytosis. Five years previously, the patient had undergone mitral valve replacement with a St. Jude bileaflet mechanical prosthesis. After her admission, echocardiography confirmed an immobile leaflet of the prosthetic valve. At urgent surgery, thrombosis and pannus, obstructing the disc, were found, and the mechanical valve was replaced with a bioprosthesis. The incidence of mitral valve thrombosis is low, ranging from 0.1% to 5.7% per patient per year. Patients who receive inadequate anticoagulation, particularly with valve prostheses in the mitral position, have an increased risk for thrombus or pannus formation. Presentation varies, from symptoms of congestive heart failure or systemic embolization, to fever or no symptoms. New or worsening symptoms in a patient with a prosthetic heart valve should raise concerns about prosthetic dysfunction. Aggressive investigation and, if indicated, urgent or emergency surgery for treatment can be lifesaving.     

Mitral valve replacement for mitral stenosis caused by Libman-Sacks endocarditis.

A women who developed mitral stenosis from Libman-Sacks endocarditis is described. The mitral valve was replaced by a Starr-Edwards prosthesis. One year later, despite her being maintained on steroids and azathioprine, the verrucous endocarditis progressed to cause sudden, severe dysfunction of the prosthetic valve.     

瓣中瓣置入术治疗二尖瓣关闭不全16例报告

二尖瓣关闭不全患者行常规二尖瓣置换术后常有左室功能恶化，有人推测术中二尖瓣结构的破坏是导致术后左室功能不全的主要机制之一。从１９９１年５月～１９９５年５月，我们对１６例二尖瓣关闭不全患者实施了一种新的二尖瓣置换术，即“瓣中瓣”置入术。术中保留全部二尖瓣瓣叶及瓣下结构，人工瓣置入固定后，前、后瓣叶均卷缩折叠于缝合环下。术后所有患者病情平稳，仅３例需要很少量的正性肌力药物支持，且都能在术后３６小时内脱离呼吸机。经超声心动图测定，术后左室功能很快恢复，所有患者均痊愈出院。结果表明：对二尖瓣关闭不全及其合并轻度狭窄者采用瓣中瓣置入术，有利于术后左室功能的恢复，瓣中瓣置入术是一种安全和有效的手术方法。     

Percutaneous ventricular assist device to rescue a patient with profound shock from a thrombosed prosthetic mitral valve

The TandemHeart is a percutaneous ventricular assist device that has been approved to provide hemodynamic support in high-risk patients undergoing cardiac procedures, including percutaneous coronary interventions and aortic balloon valvuloplasty. Limited data exists for its role in stabilizing cardiogenic shock secondary to prosthetic valve dysfunction. In conclusion, we report the first case, to our knowledge, of profound cardiogenic shock secondary to an acutely thrombosed mechanical mitral valve in which the use of the TandemHeart was instrumental in rescuing a critically ill young female who made a full recovery.     

Mitral valve replacement for mitral stenosis caused by Libman-Sacks endocarditis.

A women who developed mitral stenosis from Libman-Sacks endocarditis is described. The mitral valve was replaced by a Starr-Edwards prosthesis. One year later, despite her being maintained on steroids and azathioprine, the verrucous endocarditis progressed to cause sudden, severe dysfunction of the prosthetic valve.     

Acute massive mitral regurgitation from prosthetic valve dysfunction.

Two cases of prosthetic valve dysfunction resulting in acute massive mitral regurgitation are reported; emergency operation was successful in both cases. Survival following complete dislodgement of the occluder of a disc valve, as occurred in one case, does not appear to have been reported before. The diffculty in diagnosis of sudden cardiac decompensation in patients with prosthetic valves is stressed, as is the need for urgent operation.     

Development of mitral stenosis after single mitraclip insertion for severe mitral regurgitation

We report the first case of mitral stenosis following Mitra‐Clip insertion in a patient with symptomatic NYHA IV heart failure, secondary to severe mitral regurgitation (MR). A 79‐year‐old female with a history of prior aortic valve replacement underwent percutaneous mitral valve (MV) repair. A single clip was advanced coaxially down onto the MV under TOE guidance, with the anterior and posterior leaflets clipped together between A2 and P2. TOE confirmed a significant reduction in MR (grade 4 to grade 1). Despite initial symptomatic relief, she represented 3 months later with similar symptoms. Repeat TOE confirmed a well positioned Mitra‐Clip with mild residual MR. However, the possibility of significant mitral stenosis was raised due to the presence of significant turbulence through the bi‐orifice valve, with a peak gradient of 25 mm Hg. In addition there was evidence of severe functional tricuspid valve (TV) regurgitation with elevated pulmonary artery pressures (PAP 90 mm Hg), confirmed on subsequent right heart catheterization. After repeated heart team discussions and a failure of optimal medical therapy, and despite a logistic EuroScore of 35.5, minimally invasive surgical replacement of the MV and simultaneous TV repair was undertaken via a right thoracotomy. Despite procedural success and initial good postoperative response, the patient died subsequently from a combination of hospital‐acquired pneumonia and significant gastrointestinal bleeding (post operative day 35). Mitra‐Clip is a promising novel approach to MV repair. The establishment of further clinical and echocardiographic based selection criteria will help identify the correct patients for this treatment. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Surgical indications in mitral valve stenosis, combined mitral valve defect or mitral valve insufficiency. Long-term prognosis of operated or drug-treated patients

Data obtained from 683 patients with mitral valve disease, NYHA-class III or IV, were retrospectively studied by means of a multivariate Cox regression analysis. Based on symptoms and hemodynamic findings, surgical intervention had been recommended for all patients: closed mitral commissurotomy (n = 361), prosthetic mitral valve replacement (n = 241) and prosthetic mitral valve replacement together with a corrective procedure for the tricuspid valve (n = 81). While the majority of patients underwent surgery during the observation period (n = 528), a substantial number of patients continued on medical treatment (n = 155). The mean observation periods were 52, 49 and 31 months, respectively, in the three collectives. Surgically treated patients in whom closed mitral commissurotomy had been recommended had a better prognosis (p less than 0.0003) than those treated medically (five-year survival rate 89% vs. 63%). Age, clinical severity, previous mitral commissurotomy, pulmonary vascular resistance and right atrial mean pressure had no significant influence on prognosis. In patients in whom prosthetic mitral valve replacement had been recommended, surgical treatment led only to tendencial improvement in prognosis as compared with those treated medically (five-year survival rate 78% vs. 61%). Factors with an unfavorable influence on prognosis were age more than 49 years (p less than 0.05), pure mitral regurgitation (p less than 0.001), NYHA-class IV (p less than 0.02) and right atrial mean pressure in excess of 4 mm Hg (p less than 0.01). In patients in whom prosthetic mitral valve replacement together with a corrective procedure for the tricuspid valve had been considered necessary, surgical treatment had no significant influence on prognosis as compared with those treated medically (five-year survival rate 57% vs. 53%). Patients in whom previous mitral commissurotomy had been performed had an extremely poor prognosis (p less than 0.001). Pulmonary vascular resistance was significantly reduced both after mitral commissurotomy as well as after prosthetic mitral valve replacement; this was associated with a significant decrease in right atrial mean pressure and increase in right ventricular ejection fraction. The indication for closed mitral commissurotomy, thus, appears established in patients with symptoms of class III or IV clinical severity. The indication can be established generously since the surgical mortality is low and long-term prognosis is good.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Mean platelet volume in functional and thrombotic prosthetic mitral valve

The mean platelet volume (MPV) values reflect platelet size and are accepted as marker of platelet activation. We sought to test the hypothesis that platelet activation occurs independently from presence or absence of thrombus in prosthetic mitral valve. A total of 168 patients were included in the study. Study participants were divided in three groups: group 1 (n = 62) - patients with normal prosthetic mitral valve; group 2 (n = 37) - patients with prosthetic mitral valve thrombosis; and group 3 (n = 69) - healthy individuals. MPV values were significantly higher in normal and thrombotic prosthetic mitral valve patients than in healthy individuals (P = 0.008 and P = 0.01, respectively). MPV values were not different between normal prosthetic mitral valve and thrombotic prosthetic mitral valve. This is the first study indicating that increased MPV is present in normal and thrombotic prosthetic mitral valve, implying that platelet reactivity occurs in prosthetic mitral valve irrespective of development of thrombus formation.     

Progressive hemolytic anemia due to delayed recognition of a Beall mitral valve prosthesis

In addition to a working knowledge of general complications such as thromboembolism and infective endocarditis, optimal care of the patient with a prosthetic valve requires specific knowledge concerning the characteristics of a given patient's prosthesis. This may need to include the ability to identify the valve roentgenographically when history and records are unavailable. A 53-year-old woman with mitral stenosis secondary to rheumatic heart disease and status post a reported Bjork-Shiley mitral valve (MV) replacement 17 years prior to hospital admission was referred for evaluation of severe hemolytic anemia. Previous cinefluoroscopy in 1986 at the time of a cerebrovascular accident revealed a normally functioning caged disc prosthesis and not the tilting disc of a Bjork-Shiley prosthetic valve. The valve was not further characterized and she continued receiving warfarin therapy until May 1989 when she presented with laboratory findings showing a marked hemolytic anemia with a hemoglobin of 6.5 mg/dl and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) value of 2100 IU. Echocardiography revealed normal valvular function without evidence of perivalvular leak. The patient was referred for further evaluation with chest roentgenogram at the time of hospital admission revealing a valve configuration characteristic of the Beall model 103/104 series that has been found to manifest progressive disc variance with a high degree of hemolytic anemia (despite normal noninvasive evaluation of MV function), disc tilting with intermittent regurgitation, and catastrophic disc embolization in extreme cases. The precise identification of valvular prosthesis in patients after valve replacement is crucial for optimal management. As in our case, the mere identification of a particular valve may necessitate certain management and therapy based on the natural history of that valve. In the absence of reliable history and/or records, the roentgenographic examination should lead to the precise identification.     

Acute mitral valve dysfunction due to leaflet escape in a Tri-technologies bileaflet mechanical valve.

Acute prosthetic valve dysfunction due to leaflet escape is a mode of structural valve failure of mechanical prostheses which is associated with a high mortality. In this report, we describe the case of a 32-year-old patient, who underwent mitral valve replacement with a Tri-technologies bileaflet valve three years ago, and was admitted to the hospital on August 2005, in cardiogenic shock. He discontinued oral anticoagulation therapy four months ago. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiograms showed acute-onset massive mitral regurgitation with normal left ventricular function. The patient underwent emergency surgery, during which one leaflet was found to be absent and the other leaflet was fixed due to prosthetic thrombus.