BioGlue-Associated Loss of Aortic Valve Leaflet Motility Sonographically Masked by Both Newly Replaced Mechanical Aortic and Mitral Valves

Abstract

BioGlue is a surgical adhesive widely used to help reinforce complex cardiac and vascular repairs. Since its introduction, several case reports have emerged revealing complications that all providers should be mindful of whenever the product is used. This report considers a unique situation where BioGlue was used after double cardiac valve repair that resulted in adhesion of the new mechanical aortic valve leaflets and was difficult to visualize with transesophageal echocardiography.

Navigating the Perioperative Landscape of Patient-Oriented Outcome Studies of Cardiothoracic and Abdominal Transplant Surgical Patients in 2017

“…The March issue is concluded by a series of case reports that could be of high of interest to practicing cardiac anesthesiologists. Dr Smeltz and colleagues 16 report on a case report of a BioGlue-associated loss of aortic valve leaflet motility that was particularly difficult to detect since sonographically this loss of motility of the leaflets was masked by both newly replaced mechanical aortic and mitral valves. This case report elegantly highlights that while BioGlue use has been shown to be an ideal method to reinforce cardiac surgical repairs, and thus reduce the risk for anastomotic bleeding, lower pledglet use, and lower overall short-term neurological events, its use is not without certain unexpected complications as the described case report demonstrated.…”