Misleading supine chest X-ray in complete detachment of a Starr-Edwards prosthetic aortic valve.
The authors report a case of total detachment of a Starr-Edwards aortic valve prosthesis occurring eleven years after implantation. The detached valve had embolized into the descending thoracic aorta. The prosthetic valve was projected into an apparently normal position on a supine chest X-ray. The correct diagnosis was thus delayed. The authors stress the importance of obtaining lateral views or performing fluoroscopy and/or echocardiography in the emergency room in patients with acute chest symptoms after heart valve replacement.
D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011187:Posture; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000379:methods*