Mechanical Prosthetic Aortic Valve Thrombosis Complicated by an Acute Coronary Syndrome During Fibrinolysis

Abstract

A 70-year-old man with mechanical aortic and mitral valves was admitted with progressive shortness of breath. He was found to have thrombosis of the aortic valve prosthesis. Treatment with intravenous thrombolysis was complicated by an acute coronary syndrome related to coronary embolism. The patient was successfully managed conservatively with long-term anticoagulation. An algorithm for the management of coronary embolism is suggested. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.)

Keywords

• acute coronary syndrome
• aortic valve
• coronary embolism
• fibrinolysis
• mitral valve
• left-sided prosthetic valve thrombosis