Archives of Clinical and Experimental Surgery (Feb 2012)

Pannus-Related Mechanical Valve Dysfunction Leading to Hemodynamic Shock

  • Manabu Shiraishi,
  • Chieri Kimura,
  • Taro Takeuchi,
  • Miki Kanoh,
  • Kenichi Muramatsu,
  • Atsushi Yamaguchi,
  • Hideo Adachi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.5455/aces.20120218124633
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 1, no. 1
pp. 50 – 53

Abstract

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Mechanical prosthetic valve dysfunction caused by pannus formation is rare. Pannus restricts movement of prosthetic valve leaflets, resulting in severe aortic regurgitation. We describe the case of a 77-year-old woman who presented to the emergency room with increasing dyspnea, ischemia, and shock secondary to mechanical aortic valve dysfunction. Transesophageal echocardiography showed a blockade of the leaflets of the mechanical aortic valve, with severe aortic regurgitation. She underwent emergent cardiac surgery for aortic valve replacement. Pannus formation should be considered as a potential cause of acute severe aortic regurgitation in a patient with a small-sized mechanical aortic prosthesis in the supra-annular position. On a pathological exam, extensive pannus was found on the ventricular side of the prosthetic valve, extending from the ring into the central orifice. [Arch Clin Exp Surg 2012; 1(1.000): 50-53]

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