Thrombosis of the Björk-Shiley Aortic Valve Prosthesis
Recognition and Management
- Milton J. Sands Jr, MD;
- Charles N. Leach Jr, MD;
- Anthony S. Lachman, MB, FCP(SA);
- Howard Levine, MD
Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text.
Excerpt
PROSTHETIC heart valve replacement has become routine surgical procedure in the treatment of advanced cases of valvular heart disease. One of the most popular prostheses in current use is the Björk-Shiley low-profile disk valve. The valve consists of a free-floating pyrolite disk contained in a polytefcovered alloy cage. The popularity of the valve stems from the ability of the disk to tilt in the direction of blood flow permitting a central, nearly laminar flow pattern that decreases turbulence and subsequent trauma to RBCs. Recent five-year follow-up data have demonstrated the durability of this valve and a low level of hemolysis.1 Although initial reports also suggested a low thrombogenic potential,2 recent reports have described massive thrombosis of the valve, with fixation of the disk.2-9
Case 1.— A 79-year-old man underwent valve replacement for aortic stenosis receiving a No. 23 Björk-Shiley prosthetic valve in August 1974. After
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