Valve adaptation as a cause of disc opening reduction in mechanical heart valves: the case of the Lillehei-Kaster valve.
At fluoroscopy a decreased disc motion in mechanical heart prostheses is often a sign of valve thrombosis. On occasion, however, despite an exhaustive diagnostic work-up, common causes of prosthetic valve thrombosis are not found. In these cases the valve disc abnormalities are thought to be due to functional changes. We here report our experience with 5 consecutive patients carrying the Lillehei-Kaster prosthesis who had this fluoroscopic finding that was lately attributed to "valve physiologic adaptation". The time of onset, differential diagnosis and clinical/hemodynamic impact of valve adaptation are discussed.
Montorsi
Piero
P
Institute of Cardiology, University of Milan, Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, CNR, Milan, Italy. piero.montorsi@cardiologicomonzino.it
Teruzzi
Giovanni
G
Calligaris
Giuseppe
G
Cavoretto
Dario
D
D000368:Aged; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D002933:Cineradiography; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012086:Reoperation; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery