title: Thrombectomy of the Björk-Shiley prosthetic valve revisited: long-term results.
abstract: Thrombotic obstruction of the Björk-Shiley prosthetic valve is a catastrophic complication, often leading to a fatal outcome. Worldwide experience with the Björk-Shiley valve supports the need for long-term anticoagulation to prevent entrapment of the disc. Replacement of the malfunctioning device is associated with a high mortality, and therefore a more expeditious method is desirable. It is our experience that simple thrombectomy may suffice in most occasions, even for the mitral position, and especially when done through a bicameral approach in order to visualize both supravalvular and infravalvular regions. The philosophy and results with thrombectomy and disc rotation in 12 cases of thrombotic occlusion of the Björk-Shiley valve are described. It is suggested that this method may be preferable to replacement of the thrombosed prosthetic valve in select patients.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Surgery, Clinica Puerta de Hierro, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Montero
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mula
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brugos
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tellez
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Figuera
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001021:Aortic Valve; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008943:Mitral Valve; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D014859:Warfarin