Fusion of prosthetic valve during left heart bypass.
We recently utilized a left ventricular assist device in a patient who could not be separated from cardiopulmonary bypass after aortic and mitral valve replacement. The nonfunctioning pericardial aortic valve became completely occluded owing to a fibrinous fusion of the valve leaflets during the 8-day period of assist pumping. A second operation was required to open the fused valve leaflets. This experience suggests that special care should be taken in selecting an aortic valve prosthesis in a patient who may require the left ventricular assist device in order to be separated from cardiopulmonary bypass.
D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000601:surgery*; D001243:Assisted Circulation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006352:Heart Ventricles; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*