Diagnosis of the prosthetic heart valve pannus formation with real-time three-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography.
Prosthetic heart valve obstruction (PHVO) caused by pannus formation is an uncommon but serious complication. Although two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (2D-TEE) is the method of choice in the evaluation of PHVO, visualization of pannus is almost impossible with 2D-TEE. While demonstrating the precise aetiology of PHVO is essential for guiding the therapy, either thrombolysis for valve thrombosis or surgery for pannus formation, more sophisticated imaging techniques are needed in patients with suspected pannus formation. We present real-time 3D-TEE imaging in a patient with mechanical mitral PHVO, clearly demonstrating pannus overgrowth.
Ozkan
Mehmet
M
Department of Cardiology, Kosuyolu Kartal Heart Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. memoozkan1@gmail.com
Gündüz
Sabahattin
S
Yildiz
Mustafa
M
Duran
Nilüfer Eksi
NE
D000328:Adult; D019560:Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005260:Female; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans