Noninvasive techniques are helpful in evaluating the function of mechanical prostheses and tissue valves. Combined phonocardiography and M-mode echocardiography together with cinefluoroscopy are the most useful noninvasive techniques in differentiating normal from abnormal metallic prosthetic valve function. The intensity of the opening and closing clicks and associated murmurs will depend on t...

We have recently read with great interest the case report by S. Wongrakpanich et al. describing a patient with a history of dual prosthetic heart valves and atrial fibrillation who developed coronary embolism (CE) due to inadequate anti-coagulation [1]. Thanks are due to the authors for their contribution of the present report including a rare complication of prosthetic valve thrombosis (PVT). ...

The assessment of prosthetic valve function remains challenging. Echocardiography has become the key diagnostic tool not only because of its noninvasive nature and wide availability but also because of limitations inherent in alternative diagnostic techniques. Invasive evaluation is limited particularly in mechanical valves that cannot be crossed with a catheter, and in patients with both aorti...

background : prosthetic valve endocarditis (pve) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality associated with heart valve replacement surgery. the aim of the present study was to describe the early outcome of treatment in patients with pve in a single center. methods : the data of all the episodes of pve registered at our institution between 2002 and 2007 were collected and analyzed retrosp...

CHEST, 75: 4, APRIL, 1979 PULMONARY ARTERY-BRONCHIAL FISTULA 515 signs in endocarditis following prosthetic valve replacement. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 58:554-557, 1968 3 Sutton CC, Wright JEC: Major detachment of aortic prosthetic valves. Br Heart J 32:337-343, 1970 4 Chandraratna PAN, Lopez JM, Hildner FJ, et al: Diagnosis of Bjork-Shiley aorticvalve dysfunction by echocardiography. Am Heart ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Transcranial Doppler detection of microemboli is widely described, but there is no clear evidence of the clinical significance or nature of the embolic material in vivo. Thromboembolism is a major cause of morbidity in patients with prosthetic cardiac valves. We undertook this study to evaluate the prevalence and the acoustic characteristics of microembolic signals in thr...

Pathologists all over the world increasingly encounter prosthetic cardiac devices. A good evaluation of these devices is a valuable source of information, which can contribute to patient care and the appreciation and understanding of the pathobiology involved in the changes occurring between the host and the implanted prosthetic device. This article summarises the considerations underlying the ...