title: [Diagnostic and therapeutic measures in leaftlet escape of mechanical heart valves].
abstract: Today, a variety of mechanical and biological heart valve prostheses is available for the treatment of heart valve failures. Leaflet escape is a rare but serious complication of heart valve replacement therapy with mechanical heart valves. Since the risk of leaflet escape is extremely rare compared to other postoperative complications, there is usually no need for a prophylactic reoperation. However, if the event is misdiagnosed, leaflet escape can be life-threatening. Each cardiologist should be knowledgeable about the correct actions to take in the event of a leaflet escape. The patient should also be aware of the signs of leaflet escape and report any suspicious symptoms immediately.
authors.affiliation: Gemeinschaftspraxis Kardiologie/Angiologie, Halle, Germany. HeinemannS@aol.com
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heinemann
mesh_terms: D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D011475:Prosthesis Failure