Diagnosis and Treatment of Early Bioprosthetic Malfunction in the Mitral Valve Position due to Thrombus Formation

Bioprosthetic valve thrombosis: The eyes will not see what the mind does not know

“…2 In this issue of the Journal, Dohi and colleagues 3 describe their experience with a case of thrombosed aortic bioprosthesis and review existing literature. Their case has the hallmarks of BPVT: a substantial increase in transvalvular gradient, identified 11 months postimplantation; it occurred despite appropriate use of antithrombotic therapy.…”

Treatment of porcine bioprosthetic mitral valve thrombosis with anticoagulation

“…Aggressive sharing of the experience and the knowledge of BPVT can promote early awareness of BPVT. 5 Pislaru et al 4 emphasized that the detection of BPVT has been increasing steadily in association with the growing awareness of BPVT. In our case, we had no experience of BPVT before we encountered this case.…”

“…This finding suggests that anticoagulation performed within several months after the onset may not necessarily lead to failure of thrombus resolution, but can result in good outcome without explantation of the bioprosthesis. 5,8 …”

2017 Focused Update for Management of Patients With Valvular Heart Disease: Summary of New Recommendations

“…Bioprosthetic thrombus can present as increased leaflet thickening with restricted leaflet motion and increased valve gradients . This occurs much earlier than valve degeneration, most commonly identified at 1 to 2 years, though reported out to 6.5 years . With VKA treatment, most patients experience resolution of thrombus, as well as hemodynamic and symptom improvement .…”