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Case Reports
. 2022 May 23;37(3):409-411.
doi: 10.21470/1678-9741-2021-0350.

Surgical Removal of The Mechanical Valve Leaflet Dislocated into The Pulmonary Vein

Djordje Zdravkovic  1 , Igor Zivkovic  1   2 , Vladimir Kovacevic  3 , Petar Milacic  1   2 , Miroslav Milicic  1   2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Surgical Removal of The Mechanical Valve Leaflet Dislocated into The Pulmonary Vein

Djordje Zdravkovic et al. Braz J Cardiovasc Surg. .

Abstract

Accidental detachment of mechanical valve leaflet during implantation is a rare and potentially serious complication. When the lost leaflet cannot be found by direct visualisation, additional diagnostic procedures are necessary to detect it. Computer tomography is the best detection method, but the patient needs reoperation. We presented a patient in whom the detached leaflet migrated and became trapped into the left inferior pulmonary vein. The computed tomography (CT) scan was used to reveal leaflets, and successful extirpation was performed in the second operation.

Keywords: Aortic Valve; Mitral Valve; Pulmonary Veins; Tomography; X-Ray Computed.

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Conflict of interest statement

No conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
CT scan revealed a mechanical aortic valve hemidisc into the inferior left pulmonary vein. (A) Native computed tomography scan. (B) 3D volume rendering reconstruction of the chest. White arrow=artificial valve hemidisc. Ao=aorta; HL=hilum of the lung; LV=left ventricle; PA=pulmonary artery
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Extracted mechanical valve hemidisc.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Surgical view of the sutured left inferior pulmonary vein. White arrow = left inferior pulmonary vein
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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