Diagnosis by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography of acute thrombosis of mechanical aortic valve prosthesis associated with the use of biological glue.

Abstract

Mechanical aortic valve thrombosis is an uncommon complication of valve replacement. Inadequate anticoagulation is observed in 45% of patients presenting with this complication and it occurs as close as 15 days postoperation (1). Failure to wean from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) after aortic valve replacement may be because of a multitude of pathologies. We present a case where easy access to transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) allowed a rapid diagnosis of acute mechanical aortic valve occlusion with subsequent successful surgical management.