Successful thrombolysis of early bioprosthetic mitral valve thrombosis following extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: Case report

Abstract

Introduction: Bioprosthetic mitral valve thrombosis (BPMVT) following post-operative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a rare complication with high mortality.

Case Report: A 75-year-old man with a flail posterior mitral leaflet underwent a bioprosthetic mitral valve replacement and was subsequently placed on central veno-arterial high flow ECMO following intractable shock after protamine administration. He developed BPMVT over the following 48 hr, which did not resolve with 3 weeks of systemic heparin. He was then treated successfully with 3 days of continuous low dose (1 mg/hr) Tissue Plasminogen Activator (TPA). He suffered no bleeding consequences and had a complete cardiac and end-organ recovery.

Discussion: Slow TPA infusion may be an acceptable treatment strategy for alleviating thrombotic burden from a bioprosthetic valve, even in the post-operative setting.