Cyclic intermittent aortic regurgitation of a mechanical bileaflet aortic valve prosthesis: diagnosis and clinical implications.
We describe a rare case of intermittent dysfunction of a bileaflet mechanical aortic valve prosthesis. Subvalvular pannus overgrowth on the inflow aspect of the prosthesis impeded normal closure of one leaflet causing severe aortic regurgitation, which occurred intermittently. The complementary role of transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography and cine-fluoroscopy in the diagnosis of this case is described.
Galli
Claudia Agnese
CA
Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, Institute of Cardiology University of Milan, Italy. claudia.galli@ccfm.it
Muratori
Manuela
M
Montorsi
Piero
P
Barili
Fabio
F
Polvani
Gianluca
G
Pepi
Mauro
M
D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology*; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005260:Female; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D014463:Ultrasonography