Integrity of mechanical aortic valve prostheses explanted after 27 and 23 years

Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann. 2013 Jun;21(3):348-51. doi: 10.1177/0218492312454726.

Abstract

We describe 2 cases of mechanical aortic valve endocarditis and the influence on clinical outcome and prostheses material integrity. One patient required extensive reconstruction due to active endocarditis leading to a "rocking valve". The second case was caused by late aortic dissection following endocarditis. Both valve prostheses showed remarkable material quality and performance in functional assessment and high resolution scanning electron microscopic evaluation after 27 and 23 years of service.

Keywords: Aortic valve; bacterial; endocarditis; heart valve prosthesis; materials testing; prosthesis-related infections.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aortic Valve / physiopathology
  • Aortic Valve / surgery*
  • Device Removal*
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / diagnosis
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / microbiology
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / physiopathology
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / surgery*
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis / adverse effects*
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / adverse effects*
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / instrumentation*
  • Hemodynamics
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Prosthesis Design
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / diagnosis
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / microbiology
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / physiopathology
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / surgery*
  • Reoperation
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome