title: Obstructed bi-leaflet prosthetic mitral valve imaging with real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography.
abstract: Real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (RT3D-TEE) can provide unique visualization and better understanding of the relationship among cardiac structures. Here, we report the case of an 85-year-old woman with an obstructed mitral prosthetic valve diagnosed promptly by RT3D-TEE, which clearly showed a leaflet stuck in the closed position. The opening and closing angles of the valve leaflets measured by RT3D-TEE were compatible with those measured by fluoroscopy. Moreover, RT3D-TEE revealed, in the ring of the prosthetic valve, thrombi that were not visible on fluoroscopy. RT3D-TEE might be a valuable diagnostic technique for prosthetic mitral valve thrombosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Medicine, Akita University School of Medicine, Akita, Japan.
authors.forename: Mai
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shimbo
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Shunsuke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: Mai
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Terada
authors.forename: Takako
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iino
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Iino
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ito
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019560:Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
keywords: 3D transesophageal echocardiography; prosthetic mitral valve; prosthetic valve dysfunction; thrombus