Severe aortic insufficiency secondary to an aortic bioprosthesis tear.
A patient with a 10-year-old Medtronic Hancock II porcine aortic bioprosthesis developed severe aortic insufficiency. A transesophageal echocardiogram showed a long and mobile mass attached to the bioprosthesis which was consistent with a torn cusp. The patient underwent replacement of the prosthesis with a mechanical valve. Pathological examination showed two subacute tears arising from the same suture buttressing site. These two tears allowed a portion of the valve apparatus to prolapse.
Beauchesne
Luc M
LM
Division of Cardiology, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, 40 Ruskin Street, Suite H3407, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1Y 4W7. lbeauchesne@ottawaheart.ca
Veinot
John P
JP
Higginson
Lyall A
LA
Mesana
Thierry
T
D000328:Adult; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology*; D001705:Bioprosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004452:Echocardiography; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000151:congenital / Q000601:surgery; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012086:Reoperation