Third Re-Do Surgery in a Young Woman with Massive Early Double-Valve Prosthesis and Thromboembolic Stroke

Abstract

Valvular heart disease affects more that 100 million people worldwide. Valvular replacement remains the only definite treatment for most of the patients with severe disease. Careful medical management and periodic follow up of valve function is mandatory in order to prevent or diagnose prosthesis-related complications. We present a case of extensive mitral and aortic valve thrombosis and possible recurrent endocarditis in a 44-year-old woman non-adherent to anticoagulation therapy, presented with stroke. She also had a history of two mitral and aortic valvular heart replacement surgeries. Comprehensive and repeated imaging was used to evaluate and monitor the patient progression and outcome. Failure of adequate anticoagulation therapy to improve prosthesis function during hospitalization required third re-do surgery for mitral and aortic valve replacement with mechanical prosthesis.

Keywords

• mechanical prosthesis
• thrombosis
• anticoagulant treatment
• compliance