Fracture embolization of an Edwards-Duromedics valve with asymmetrical closure.
We report a case of sudden leaflet fracture of an Edwards-Duromedics mitral valve 17-years after its implantation. The patient had a history of an asymmetrical motion of the valve, five months earlier. A computed tomography scan showed two fragments that had embolized to the right brachiocephalic artery and left common iliac artery. An emergency mitral replacement surgery was successfully performed. Asymmetrical closure of the valve leaflet may have contributed to valve fracture.
Yamazaki
Kazuhiro
K
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Tenri-yorozu Hospital, Tenri, Japan. yamakazu@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Nishimura
Kazunobu
K
Iwakura
Atsushi
A
Uehara
Kyokun
K
Okada
Tatsuji
T
Sugita
Takaaki
T
D004617:Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve; D011475:Prosthesis Failure