The blower: a useful tool to complete thrombectomy of the mechanical prosthetic valve.

Abstract

Thrombectomy could be an excellent approach on one condition (ie, that all parts of the thrombus are removed). We propose to use a tool (ie, the blower) to complete thrombectomy of the prosthetic mechanical valve. The blower is a vaporizer that mixes air and heparinized saline with regulator of flow and proportion used in beating heart surgery. For thrombectomy, we have modified the air-water mixing part and intensity until we obtained a jet that enabled us to remove the micro thrombus that covered the prosthetic valve and surrounding tissues. The blower completely cleaned the prosthetic valve. With this tool, thrombectomy seems easier, more complete, and more reliable with the advantages of short cross-clamping time.