A series of 12 @entity1 with 16 episodes of prosthetic heart-valve @entity715 over 3 years is presented. Most episodes affected mitral or tricuspid bileaflet prostheses. All @entity1 were inadequately anticoagulated at the time of @entity715 . The clinical presentation was acute and severe in 6 @entity1 , and subacute or chronic in the rest. Physical examination was suggestive of stuck valves in most cases. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed increased transvalvular gradients in most. However, clearer evidence of valve @entity715 was obtained from transesophageal echocardiography or fluoroscopy. 9 @entity1 eventually had their valves re-replaced successfully, and the preoperative diagnosis was confirmed in all. 5 @entity1 were operated as soon as the diagnosis was established. and an additional 4 were operated after failure of anticoagulation. In 4 @entity1 the valve leaflets became completely mobile after a course of thrombolysis. @entity715 is a severe and potentially fatal complication in @entity1 with mechanical heart valves. Alertness of physicians at all levels- the general practitioner, the internist and the cardiologist- to the possibility of valve @entity715 and to its clinical presentation may lead to prompt and earlier diagnosis and to comprehensive therapy.

[Prosthetic heart valve XXXX : a 3-year experience].

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity715 :: ('MESH:D013927', 'Disease') :: ['thrombosis', 'Prosthetic valve thrombosis']
@entity715 :: (MESH:D013927,Disease) :: ['thrombosis']
