Ball fracture with the 6120-model Starr-Edwards mitral valve prosthesis occurring late after implantation.
The Starr-Edwards (S-E) mitral valve, Model 6120, has been widely used in the last three decades. Fatty infiltration and subsequent damage of the silastic ball, a phenomenon termed ball variance, has been described only in the first generation aortic ball-valve prostheses, used until 1965. A case of partial ball fracture in a 6120-Model S-E mitral valve prosthesis, occurring 27 years after implantation and presenting with thromboembolism and progressive valve dysfunction, is described.
Mazzucco
A
A
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Verona, Italy.
Luciani
G B
GB
Pessotto
R
R
Piccin
C
C
Faggian
G
G
Chiominto
B
B
D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000601:surgery; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000601:surgery; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012214:Rheumatic Heart Disease / Q000601:surgery; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D013499:Surface Properties; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000209:etiology
D012826:Silicone Elastomers