title: Mechanical flow obstruction after heart transplantation diagnosed by TEE.
abstract: We report a case of mechanical flow obstruction after heart transplantation caused by a prominent left atrium suture with a "pursestring" effect. The diagnosis was achieved by transesophageal echocardiography. The mean transstenotic gradient was measured at 13 mm Hg. Because of the profound hemodynamic and multisystemic failure, no surgical correction was attempted. The postmortem examination confirmed the stenosis at the level of the left atrium.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, CHU du Sart-Tilman, Liege, Belgium.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Canivet
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Defraigne
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Demoulin
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Limet
mesh_terms: D003116:Color; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D013537:Sutures / Q000009:adverse effects*