Disc embolisation after minor strut fracture in a Björk-Shiley mitral valve prosthesis.

We report the successful management of a patient who suffered embolisation of a Bjork-Shiley mitral prosthetic valve disc after fracture of the minor strut. Emergency surgical treatment was responsible for her survival. The disc was recovered through the abdominal aorta at a subsequent operation, performed once the condition of the patient had stabilised. This experience confirms previous reports' 2 advocating early reoperation in patients with Bjork-Shiley prostheses who present with acute heart failure and absence of prosthetic valve sounds. We suggest that retrieval of the embolised disc may be carried out separately as an elective procedure provided that there is no evidence of renal or peripheral circulatory impairment.