title: Recurrent infarctions due to a dome-shaped pannus above the mitral valve prosthesis.
abstract: This report describes a unique case of a 56-year-old female who suffered from recurrent stroke after double mechanical valve replacement. During the four years after the surgery, she remained in normal sinus rhythm, received adequate anticoagulation therapy, and no apparent left atrial thrombus was detected. She underwent redo surgery to prevent further stroke after fourth instance of cerebral infarction. Intraoperative findings revealed a 'dome-shaped' pannus formation covering the sewing ring of the mitral prosthesis circumferentially, probably leading to clot formation and repeated infarctions. She has been stroke free for three years after pannus resection.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, National Hospital Organization Saitama Hospital, Wako, Japan ; 2 Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Hiratsuka City Hospital, Hiratsuka, Japan.
authors.forename: Hirofumi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kasahara
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, National Hospital Organization Saitama Hospital, Wako, Japan ; 2 Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Hiratsuka City Hospital, Hiratsuka, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshito
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, National Hospital Organization Saitama Hospital, Wako, Japan ; 2 Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Hiratsuka City Hospital, Hiratsuka, Japan.
authors.forename: Satoru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suzuki
keywords: Mitral valve replacement; embolism; pannus; stroke