title: Prosthetic mitral valve leaflets jammed by a balloon catheter.
abstract: We encountered a case in which prosthetic mitral valve leaflets were jammed by a transmitral balloon catheter during mechanical mitral valve replacement. The catheter, which was inserted in the left ventricle to render the leaflets incompetent during de-airing, forced the leaflets into the closed position. The leaflet edges pinched the catheter lumen and obstructed balloon deflation. Excessive inflation of the balloon and extraction of the catheter before complete deflation of the balloon should be avoided to prevent a potentially serious complication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Dokkyo Medical University, 880 Kitakobayashi, Mibu, Shimotsuga-gun, Tochigi 321-0293, Japan. shimasantamerry@tulip.ocn.ne.jp
authors.forename: Yoshiei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shimamura
authors.forename: Yoshihiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mochizuki
authors.forename: Yasuyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: Ikuko
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Shibasaki
authors.forename: Shinichiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miyoshi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008946:Mitral Valve Stenosis / Q000601:surgery*; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D016896:Treatment Outcome