title: Venous gangrene of the lower limbs following aortic valve replacement for native valve endocarditis.
abstract: Bacterial endocarditis is a complex disease associated with high morbidity and mortality with complications that include acute heart failure and arterial embolism. Venous thrombosis of the lower limbs is not uncommon following all forms of surgery, but infrequent following cardiac surgery, and rarely progresses to venous gangrene. We report a case of bilateral lower-limb venous gangrene, in a 49-year-old female who underwent aortic valve replacement for native valve endocarditis. The possible aetiology of this complication is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, London Chest Hospital, UK.
authors.forename: W I
authors.initials: WI
authors.lastname: Awad
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Coumbe
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Walesby
mesh_terms: D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000601:surgery*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005734:Gangrene / Q000209:etiology*; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply; D008875:Middle Aged; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000209:etiology; D012008:Recurrence; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology