[A case of minor strut fracture of Björk-Shiley Convexo-concave valve and a case of elective prophylactic reoperation].
We reported 2 cases of previous valve replacement with Björk-Shiley Convexo-concave (C-C) valve prosthesis. A 43-year-old male who had undergone mitral valve replacement with 27 mm C-C valve was admitted with severe dyspnea. Although intensive medical treatment was initiated, he died 18 hours after admission. An autopsy revealed minor strut fracture of C-C valve. An electron minor strut fracture of C-C valve. An electron microscopic examination of the explanted valve revealed destruction of minor strut. A 52-year-old female who had underwent aortic valve replacement with 21 mm C-C valve 10 years previously had elective prophylactic reoperation. The postoperative course was uneventful. An electron microscopic examination of the minor strut revealed small linear strain which may cause fatigue defects.
Saito
S
S
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Kosei General Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
Tokunaga
H
H
Takahashi
S
S
Aomi
S
S
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008946:Mitral Valve Stenosis / Q000601:surgery*; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012086:Reoperation