A case of mechanical pulmonary valve thrombosis

Abstract

Prosthetic valve thrombosis (PVT) is a rare but dreadful complication of mechanical prosthetic valves. Even though mechanical valves in pulmonary position are rarely implanted, obstruction by thrombosis warrants rapid diagnostic assessment and treatment. Transthoracic echocardiography plays an important role than transesophageal echocardiography because of anterior location of pulmonary prosthetic valve. Thrombolytic therapy is the mainstay of the treatment for right-sided mechanical obstructive PVT. We are presenting a case of pulmonary mechanical PVT which was diagnosed and successfully thrombolysed with streptokinase.

Keywords

• mechanical pulmonary valve
• prosthetic valve thrombosis
• streptokinase
• thrombolytic therapy