Stuck Prosthetic Valve in Open Position Resolved by Thrombolysis

Abstract

Stuck prosthetic valve is a rare but very serious

complication of mechanical prosthetic valve and associated

with significant morbidity and mortality and requires prompt

diagnosis and therapy. We describe the case of a 30 year

old female who had received mechanical prosthetic valve for

severe aortic stenosis and discontinued oral anticoagulant

for a period of 10 days and presented with symptoms of

heart failure. Thorough clinical, echocardiographic and

cinefluoroscopicevaluation revealed mechanical prosthetic

aortic valve stuck in open position with severe aortic

regurgitation. The patient was thrombolysed successfully

with streptokinase with uneventful hospital course and she

was discharged in a stable state with continuous oral

anticoagulant and aspirin therapy.