Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1982; 30(6): 405-406
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1022433
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Evidence of Impending Embolization of a Calcific Cusp Fragment from a Mitral Porcine Xenograft1

U. Bortolotti1 , A. Milano1 , G. Thiene2 , M. Valente2 , A. Mazzucco1 , V. Gallucci1
  • 1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery,
  • 2Department of Pathology, University of Padova Medical School, Padova, Italy
1This work was supported in part by grant No. 80 00449.04 of the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Rome, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

1982

Publication Date:
19 March 2008 (online)

Summary

The use of porcine bioprostheses has been associated with a low rate of embolic complications. The case here presented provides evidence that systemic emboli in porcine valve recipients may not necessarily be due to intracardiac or prosthetic thrombosis, but to detachment and migration of fragments of degenerated cusp tissue. Therefore, urgent assessment of xenograft function is recommended in patients with a porcine bioprosthesis who experience embolic episodes late postoperatively.

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