title: Dysfunction of a bileaflet mechanical valve in mitral position: absence of symptoms despite a completely fixed leaflet.
abstract: We report the case of 62 year-old asymptomatic woman with a bileaflet mechanical prosthesis implanted 1 year ago. Routine transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) showed that one leaflet was fixed in semi-closed position, which was confirmed by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and cinefluoroscopy. The paradoxical absence of symptoms despite a complete restriction of one leaflet may be due to the fact that this patient had a very small body surface area and received a prosthesis with an excellent hemodynamic performance. The presence of a large compliant left atrial chamber may have also contributed to limit the effects of valve dysfunction on the pulmonary circulation.
authors.forename: Julien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Magne
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pibarot
authors.forename: Sylvain
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Trahan
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sénéchal
mesh_terms: D003328:Coronary Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology*; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008945:Mitral Valve Prolapse / Q000601:surgery*; D011475:Prosthesis Failure