Background: Valvular heart disease represents a significant burden to patients with cardiovascular diseases. Surgical treatment of diseased heart valves represents a significant advancement for these patients. However, there are specific complications related to prosthetic valves, including valve thrombosis.
Methods: Review article.
Results: Thrombosis of a prosthetic heart valve can present with gradual cardiac decline, embolic phenomena, or frank cardiogenic shock. The diagnosis of prosthetic valve thrombosis is by history, physical examination, and by an imaging modality. Treatment of the thrombosed valve is either surgical or with thrombolysis. Both modalities have significant morbidity and mortality.
Conclusion: Treatment of valvular heart disease does not remove the patient from significant risks. Inherent to a prosthetic heart valve is the risk for valvular thrombosis. Prompt recognition and treatment of prosthetic valve thrombosis is important.