Diagnosis and Management of Acute Prosthetic Valve Disc Dislodgement: Case Reports

Abstract

As already stated in other articles, valves of certain types are at risk for dislocation of the disc. In order to demonstrate that this can still occur and that probabilities of dislocation still have to be adapted to in the fu ture, the authors describe three disc dislocations and their outcome. From these cases it is clear that prosthetic disc embolization still has a very high mortality. These case reports also show the necessity of an emergency operation and the different time in tervals available for intervention de pendent on the location of the valve prosthesis (aortic-mitral position). Difficulties of interpreting the chest x-ray can exist owing to the presence of metallic sternal sutures. Whether routine reoperation is necessary in high-risk groups is discussed. Two prosthetic valves with their disrupted minor strut were sent back to the company. The results of extensive study of these valves are discussed.