Mechanical Prosthetic Valve Thrombosis Research Articles

Prosthetic Valve Thrombosis: About 205 Patients

Background: The prosthetic heart valve thrombosis (PVT) is a life-threatening complication of mechanical valve prosthesis. It can be attributed more frequently to inadequate anticoagulant therapy. In the aortic and mitral position, reported incidences vary widely from 0.5% to 6% per patient-year, and are highest in the mitral position and up to 20% in tricuspid valve prosthesis. Medical therapy (Thrombolysis) has emerged as an alternative therapy in high-risk surgical patients, considering that surgical prosthetic valve replacement is related to significant operative morbidity and mortality rates. The purpose of this study is to present a single-center experience of 205 consecutive patients hospitalized between 2000 and 2016. Methods: From 2000 to 2016, 205 consecutive patients were hospitalized in our center for mechanical prosthetic valve thrombosis (PVT). The diagnosis of PVT was mainly assessed by echocardiography and/or fluoroscopy. There were 41 men and 164 women aged between 07 to 75 years. Prosthetic valve location was mitral in 191 patients, tricuspid in 05, aortic in 8 and mitro-tricuspid in one case. Predisposing causes of MVT were: poor compliance with warfarin, pregnancy or unknown. The interval from first operation to valve thrombosis was from 1 day to 38 years. Delay from first symptoms to hospitalization ranged from 1 to 4 months. The diagnosis was an incidental finding during an echocardiography, on the basis of a subacute increase in the transvalvular mean gradient seen due to thrombotic obstruction on transthoracic echocardiography and was confirmed by transesophageal echocardiography. First clinical symptoms were reported as systemic emboli, progressive exertional dyspnea (NYHA II to III–IV), muffled opening or closing sounds of the prosthetic valve, left heart failure, stroke, and cardiogenic shock. Transthoracic echocardiography is the diagnostic tool often used to evaluate a patient with valve prosthesis, when there is suspicion of PVT, and also is useful in the follow-up of patients during thrombolysis. Fluoroscopy was complementary. Anticoagulation regimen was inadequate, recently stopped or incorrectly conducted. Results: There were two groups, the first group (A) comprised of 135 patients have been operated with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) (prosthetic replacement or declotting and excision of pannus). It is an emergency surgery in 101 patients. In this group, we deplore 18 (13.5%). 70 patients underwent medical treatment (heparin, oral anticoagulants and aspirin) on clinical, sonographic and under strict supervision in a hospital and some external purposes for a period of 07 days at 6 months. For the non-operated group, all patients have unlocked their prothesis; we deplored 05 deaths (7.14%) (hemorrhagic stroke, left and right ventricle dysfunction). Conclusion: PVT remains a serious complication of mechanical heart valve prosthetic with high morbidity and mortality despite aggressive treatment by thrombolysis and/or surgery. Surgery treatment should be the preferred therapeutic modality for most patients with PVT. Thrombolysis, followed by heparin, warfarin, and aspirin is advised for high-risk surgical candidates without hemodynamic instability under strict echocardiographic survey. Because of the high risk of thromboembolism during thrombolysis for left sided PVT. For certain category of patients, medical therapy (thrombolysis anticoagulation++aspirin) may be offered in highrisk surgical patients, this with the consent of patients on medical and surgical rigorous monitoring and evaluating the operational risk compared to the risk of progression under medical treatment.

Management of Acute Mechanical Mitral Valve Thrombosis With Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)

MECHANICAL PROSTHETIC VALVE THROMBOSIS (PVT) and obstruction is a life-threatening event. Due to the associated progressive presentation of heart failure symptoms and often frequent delay in diagnosis, a high mortality rate has been described.1 In addition, surgical intervention in this setting has been associated with high perioperative risk for poor outcome that directly correlates with the degree of hemodynamic instability and a higher New York Heart Association functional class on presentation.

A global perspective on mechanical prosthetic heart valve thrombosis: Diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

Prosthetic valve thrombosis is one of the major causes of primary valve failure, which can be life-threatening. Multimodality imaging is necessary for determination of leaflet immobilization, cause of underlying pathology (thrombus versus pannus or both), and whether thrombolytic therapy attempt in the patient would be successful or surgery is needed. Current guidelines for the management of prosthetic valve thrombosis lack definitive class I recommendations due to lack of randomized controlled trials, and usually leave the choice of treatment to the clinician’s experience. In this review, we aimed to summarize the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of mechanical prosthetic valve thrombosis.

Streptokinase versus recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator for thrombolysis of mechanical prosthetic heart valve thrombosis

Aims and Objectives: This study was designed to compare streptokinase (STK) versus recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) for thrombolysis in patients with prosthetic heart valve thrombosis (PHVT). Background: Optimal management of PHVT remains controversial. Thrombolytic therapy is a reasonable alternative to surgery. Numerous thrombolytic protocols with STK, urokinase, and rt-PA have been used over the past 40 years. So far there is a lack of consensus on the ideal thrombolytic agent for PHVT. There are no major studies comparing efficacy of STK versus rt-PA. Methods and Results: Sixty patients who underwent thrombolysis for PHVT over 1 year were studied. Forty-eight patients were thrombolysed with STK, whereas 12 patients received rt-PA. Overall 68.33% (41/60) patients showed complete response (CR), whereas 85% (51/60) showed some improvement in hemodynamics, with no significant difference in efficacy according to age, sex, duration from surgery, New York Heart Association Class III–IV, presence of atrial fibrillation, type of valve, or history of stroke. Overall 10% patients developed major complications with mortality of 5%. CR to thrombolytic therapy was numerically better with STK (72.9% vs. 50%; P = 0.12) and mortality was significantly higher in rt-PA (16.6% vs. 2%, P = 0.038). Mean duration of successful thrombolysis was significantly longer with STK as compared to rt-PA (22.96 ± 19.2 vs. 3 h). Conclusion: STK use as compared to rt-PA was associated with numerically more successful thrombolysis and significant lower mortality, hence may be optimal for elective thrombolysis.

Анализ случаев применения тромболитической терапии при острых тромбозах механических клапанов сердца

Mechanical prosthetic valve thrombosis is a life-threatening complication that in most cases requires urgent re-intervention. A significant risk of intraoperative complications, death and presence of a small fresh thrombus suggest thrombolytic therapy to be an alternative option of treatment because of a relatively low risk of the procedure. This article presents successful experience of systemic thrombolysis in patients with acute thrombosis of mechanical prosthetic valves.

A serial fluoroscopy-guided thrombolytic therapy of a mechanical tricuspid prosthetic valve thrombosis with low-dose and ultra-slow infusion of tissue-type plasminogen activator.

Prosthetic valve thrombosis is a life-threatening complication that is seen most commonly in patients with left-sided prosthetic valves. However, mechanical tricuspid valves carry the highest risk of thrombosis of any cardiac valve. Thrombolysis has been performed successfully in right-sided prosthetic valve thrombosis and has been recommended as the first-line treatment in these patients. Although two-dimensional and real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography are the gold standard imaging modalities for the diagnosis of prosthetic valve thrombosis, right-sided prosthetic valves may not be evaluated precisely. This is a serious problem during the follow-up of patients who receive thrombolytic therapy for tricuspid valve thrombosis. Fluoroscopy is an alternative noninvasive imaging method that provides valuable information about leaflet motion and may be used for such cases with restricted leaflets. Herein, we report a case of tricuspid valve thrombosis who was managed with low-dose (25 mg) and ultra-slow (25 hours) infusion of tissue-type plasminogen activator under the guidance of serial fluoroscopy.

Thrombus attached to suture materials successfully thrombolysed with low-dose tissue plasminogen activator

Mechanical prosthetic heart valve thrombosis is one of the most common complications of valve surgery. We herein describe an unusual clinical vignette. A 60-year-old man who underwent prosthetic mitral valve reoperation suffered from nonobstructive thrombus attached to the elongated suture materials in the postoperative sixth month. The thrombus was precisely depicted by two- and three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography and was successfully lysed with low-dose slow infusion of tissue plasminogen activator after failed heparin treatment.

Nonobstructive mechanical prosthetic valve thrombosis with acute stroke

Nonobstructive prosthetic valve thrombosis occurs more frequently during the early postoperative period due to increased thrombogenicity precipitated by inadequate anticoagulation. There is currently no consensus in the management of prosthetic valve thrombosis. We describe a patient with acute stroke secondary to nonobstructive prosthetic valve thrombosis that was due to inadequate anticoagulation. He was managed with intravenous anticoagulation with no resolution of the thrombus. Subsequently, he underwent successful surgical thrombectomy without valve replacement.

Successful treatment of renal artery thromboembolism with low-dose prolonged infusion of tissue-typed plasminogen activator in a patient with mitral mechanical heart valve thrombosis under the guidance of multimodality imaging

This case report describes the use of low-dose prolonged infusion of tissue-typed plasminogen activator in the treatment of renal artery thromboembolism secondary to prosthetic valve thrombosis, under the guidance of multimodality imaging. Thromboembolic occlusion of renal arteries is a rare disorder with serious consequences. It is generally associated with cardiac diseases and arrhytmias. Four consecutive doses of low-dose prolonged infusion of tissue-typed plasminogen activator [25 mg tissue-typed plasminogen activator (tpa) in 6 h] were administered to the patient. This case of renal artery thromboembolism secondary to mitral mechanical prosthetic valve thrombosis was successfully treated with low-dose prolonged infusion of tPA under the guidance of multimodality imaging with renal artery Doppler ultrasonography, multislice computerized tomographic angiography, renal angiography, two-dimensional and real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography. This case has demonstrated that low-dose prolonged infusion of tissue-typed plasminogen activator may be effective and well tolerated in the treatment of renal embolism.

Management of recurrent mechanical prosthetic tricuspid valve thrombosis in the perioperative period of noncardiac surgery: a case report

IntroductionMechanical valves in the tricuspid position may be prone to thrombosis with even brief lapses in anticoagulation. The management of patients with a history of recurrent mechanical tricuspid valve thrombosis who require noncardiac surgery is complex.Case presentationA 43-year-old Pakistani woman with a mechanical tricuspid valve and a history of multiple episodes of mechanical valve thrombosis presented for noncardiac surgery. After her surgery she was found to have another episode of valve thrombosis and underwent a redo tricuspid valve replacement.ConclusionThis case brings up the important dilemma that exists when patients with a mechanical tricuspid valve and a history of recurrent valve thrombosis require noncardiac surgery.

Anticoagulant-resistant thrombophilia in a patient with polycythemia vera

Mechanical valve thrombosis is a rare condition in an adequately anticoagulated patient in the absence of underlying thrombophilia. We report a case of a 76-year-old male with mechanical prosthetic mitral valve thrombosis as the presenting feature of polycythemia vera. The patient was treated with thrombolysis at the time of acute presentation and subsequently maintained on low molecular weight heparin, low-dose aspirin, phlebotomy and hydroxyurea. Hemoglobin, leucocytosis and platelet count were controlled for almost 4 years after which the patient suffered a second, fatal episode in the setting of therapeutic anti-Xa level. This case report highlights the thrombotic risks associated with polycythemia vera. The proposed mechanisms of hypercoagulability in polycythemia vera are reviewed. To the best of our knowledge, mechanical valve thromboses as the presenting feature of polycythemia vera has not been reported previously.

Treatment for Mechanical Valve Thrombosis in the Right Heart: Combined Pharmacological and Mechanical Thrombolysis

We report clinical results of combined pharmacological and mechanical thrombolysis for mechanical prosthetic valve thrombosis (PVT) in the right heart. Between January 1992 and December 2008, combined thrombolysis, which consisted of an intravenous infusion of urokinase together with mechanical disruption of thrombus in a prosthetic valve by temporarily increasing the cardiac pacing rate, was performed in three patients with four cases of mechanical PVT in the right heart. The prosthetic valve in all three patients was a bileaflet mechanical valve, and was located in the tricuspid position in two patients and in the pulmonary position in the remaining patient. PVT was diagnosed by echocardiography and cineradiography. Thrombolysis was successful in all four cases in the three patients, and no hemorrhagic complications or clinically symptomatic pulmonary embolisms were observed. Mechanical disruption of thrombus using a pacemaker appears to be an effective adjunctive modality to thrombolysis with fibrinolytic agents for PVT in the right heart. Combined pharmacological and mechanical thrombolysis may improve success rates and reduce the time required for thrombolysis of PVT.

Mechanical prosthetic mitral valve thrombosis in a first trimester pregnant woman

Pregnant women with a mechanical heart prosthesis are at a higher risk of thromboembolic complications. The optimal anticoagulation strategy in this setting remains unclear. When prosthesis thrombosis happens and cardiac surgery must be performed, the risk of fetal mortality is high. Special attention must be paid to improve the placental perfusion during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in order to improve fetal outcomes. A 31-year-old woman, nine weeks pregnant, was admitted to our institution due to a mitral mechanical prosthesis thrombosis. She had been receiving low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) since pregnancy was detected. She underwent a mitral valve replacement with CPB at 34 degrees C and a short cardiac arrest time. Both mother and fetus survived. We briefly review the different anticoagulation options during pregnancy and perfusion strategies on CPB to improve fetal outcomes.

EComment: Re: Mechanical prosthetic mitral valve thrombosis in a first trimester pregnant woman

eComment: Re: Mechanical prosthetic mitral valve thrombosis in a first trimester pregnant woman

Acute mechanical prosthetic valve thrombosis after initiating oral anticoagulation therapy. Is bridging anticoagulation with heparin required?

Prosthetic valve thrombosis (PVT) represents a serious and potentially lethal complication. It can be attributed more frequently to inadequate anticoagulant therapy. We present a case of acute aortic mechanical valve thrombosis six months after implantation. The patient discontinued oral anticoagulation after being discharged following the primary operation. Two days after reinitiating warfarin as an outpatient, he developed acute valve thrombosis presenting with symptoms and signs of cardiac failure. He was managed with intravenous thrombolysis with a recombinant plasminogen activator which resulted in immediate resolution of thrombus and clinical improvement. A paradox procoagulant effect of warfarin is evident on the first one or two days after initiation of therapy. A 'bridging' protocol with unfractionated or low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) should be considered, according to recently published guidelines, until warfarin reaches therapeutic levels and exerts an antithrombotic effect.

Wolf in Wolf's Clothing—A Case of Prosthetic Aortic Valve Thrombosis Presenting as an Acute Coronary Syndrome

Mechanical prosthetic valve thrombosis (PVT) is a potentially life threatening event that occurs with an incidence of 0.2% per patient year following aortic valve replacement [Lengyel M, Fuster V, Keltal M, et al. Guidelines for management of left-sided prosthetic valve thrombosis: a role for thrombolytic therapy. J Am Coll Cardiol 1997;30:1521-6]. We present the case of a middle-aged man with thrombosis of his aortic valve prosthesis mimicking an acute coronary syndrome. The patient received thrombolytic therapy with subsequent embolism of thrombotic debris to the leg.

Thrombolytic therapy for prosthetic valve thrombosis in children: two case reports and review of the literature

Thrombotic occlusion of a mechanical valve prosthesis can be life threatening and requires urgent evaluation and treatment. Traditionally, the treatment for mechanical valve thrombosis has been urgent reoperation with attempted declotting of the valve or valve rereplacement. Unfortunately, this is associated with a high mortality, and efforts have been made to pursue nonoperative treatment with thrombolytics. There are many reports of the successful use of thrombolytics in adults, but very little data are reported in the pediatric population. We review the literature, report 2 cases of successful treatment of mechanical mitral valve thrombotic occlusion with thrombolytic therapy in children, and summarize the major reports of thrombolytic use for prosthetic valve occlusion in the pediatric population.

Fibrinolysis of mechanical prosthetic valve thrombosis: A single-center study of 127 cases

ObjectivesThis study was designed to analyze the results of fibrinolytic treatment (FT) in a large single-center group of patients with prosthetic heart valve thrombosis (PHVT). BackgroundFibrinolytic treatment of PHVT represents an alternative to surgery, but is still controversial because of the risk of embolism. MethodsA total of 110 consecutive patients presenting with 127 instances of PHVT received FT between 1978 and 2001. The diagnosis of PHVT was established mainly by fluoroscopy and/or echocardiography. The first fibrinolytic agent used was streptokinase (SK) in 49 cases, urokinase (UK) in 41 cases, and recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rtPA) in 37 cases. A second FT was consecutively infused in 38 patients (30%) and a third FT in 11 others. The efficacy of FT was assessed from hemodynamic parameters derived from echographic examinations as well as on clinical grounds. ResultsComplete resolution of hemodynamic abnormalities was seen in 90/127 patients, partial resolution in 22/127 patients, and no change in 15/127 patients after one or more consecutive fibrinolytic regimens. When SK or rtPA were used as the first fibrinolytic agent, they appeared significantly superior to UK in terms of valve reopening. Fifteen patients died. Severe hemorrhagic complications were observed in six patients. Nineteen documented embolic events occurred during FT. Finally, PHVT recurred in 24 patients, 17 of whom were retreated with lytic agents. ConclusionsThese results indicate that FT is effective in most cases of PHVT, regardless of prosthesis or site involved. However, embolism, hemorrhage, and death were not uncommon after lytic therapy of left-sided PHVT, limiting its application to patients at high risk with alternative treatment.

Symptomatic mechanical heart valve thrombosis: high morbidity and mortality despite successful treatment options.

Recommendations for treatment of mechanical prosthetic heart valve thrombosis (PVT) include systemic thrombolysis and/or reoperation. Data on complications and outcome are limited. Clinical and echocardiographic findings of 17 patients with mechanical PVT were reviewed. Complications and outcome of surgery and/or thrombolysis were analysed. Prospective follow-up was obtained. Symptomatic PVT occurred 8.4 +/- 7.2 years after mechanical valve replacement at mean age 55 +/- 15 years. Thrombosis involved the mitral valve in 12 patients (71%), the aortic valve in 4 (24%) and the tricuspid valve in one (6%). The reason for PVT was inadequate anticoagulation in 11 patients (65%), endomyocardial fibrosis in 2 (12%) and unknown in 4 (24%). Prior to diagnosis, systemic emboli occurred in 6 patients (35%). Thirteen patients (76%) presented in functional class NYHA IV. Haemodynamic valve obstruction was documented by echocardiography in 15 patients (88%). Treatment included primary reoperation in 12 patients (71%), thrombolysis with urokinase in 3 (18%) (with reoperation in 1), reinstitution of adequate anticoagulation in one (6%); death occurred before treatment in one (6%). Intraoperatively, both pannus and thrombus were found in 5 of 13 patients (38%). Treatment-related emboli occurred in 5 patients (29%), to the brain in 3, to the legs in one and to a coronary artery in one. Five patients died (mortality 29%) within 30 days due to multiorgan failure/septicaemia (3 patients), congestive heart failure (1), or cerebral emboli (1). Follow-up after 28 +/- 28 months in the 12 surviving patients was unremarkable. The most common aetiology for obstructive PVT is thrombus formation due to inadequate anticoagulation. PVT remains a serious complication with high morbidity and mortality despite aggressive treatment by thrombolysis and/or surgery. Surgery is often needed due to the frequent presence of pannus and/or large thrombi. However, long-term prognosis after successful treatment of PVT is excellent.

Symptomatic mechanical heart valve thrombosis: high morbidity and mortality despite successful treatment options.

Recommendations for treatment of mechanical prosthetic heart valve thrombosis (PVT) include systemic thrombolysis and/or reoperation. Data on complications and outcome are limited. Clinical and echocardiographic findings of 17 patients with mechanical PVT were reviewed. Complications and outcome of surgery and/or thrombolysis were analysed. Prospective follow-up was obtained. Symptomatic PVT occurred 8.4 +/- 7.2 years after mechanical valve replacement at mean age 55 +/- 15 years. Thrombosis involved the mitral valve in 12 patients (71%), the aortic valve in 4 (24%) and the tricuspid valve in one (6%). The reason for PVT was inadequate anticoagulation in 11 patients (65%), endomyocardial fibrosis in 2 (12%) and unknown in 4 (24%). Prior to diagnosis, systemic emboli occurred in 6 patients (35%). Thirteen patients (76%) presented in functional class NYHA IV. Haemodynamic valve obstruction was documented by echocardiography in 15 patients (88%). Treatment included primary reoperation in 12 patients (71%), thrombolysis with urokinase in 3 (18%) (with reoperation in 1), reinstitution of adequate anticoagulation in one (6%); death occurred before treatment in one (6%). Intraoperatively, both pannus and thrombus were found in 5 of 13 patients (38%). Treatment-related emboli occurred in 5 patients (29%), to the brain in 3, to the legs in one and to a coronary artery in one. Five patients died (mortality 29%) within 30 days due to multiorgan failure/septicaemia (3 patients), congestive heart failure (1), or cerebral emboli (1). Follow-up after 28 +/- 28 months in the 12 surviving patients was unremarkable. The most common aetiology for obstructive PVT is thrombus formation due to inadequate anticoagulation. PVT remains a serious complication with high morbidity and mortality despite aggressive treatment by thrombolysis and/or surgery. Surgery is often needed due to the frequent presence of pannus and/or large thrombi. However, long-term prognosis after successful treatment of PVT is excellent.