Ball variance and fracture of a Smeloff-Cutter prosthesis 24 years after aortic valve replacement
Hust, M.H.; Klinkmüller, A.; Keim, M.; Momper, R.; Nothwang, G.
Zeitschrift für Kardiologie 86(7): 541-544
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-5860 PMID: 9340946 Document Number: 473543
This report documents a case of ball variance in a Smeloff-Cutter aortic prosthesis occurring 24 years after implantation. After episodes of embolic complications the patient died in acute shock. The silicone rubber ball showed several alterations including discoloration, grooving, cracking, swelling and subtotal fracture of the poppet. Terminal valvular malfunction was caused by complete thrombosis of the prosthesis. In most patients ball variance occurred during the first years after valve replacement; thus, the observed case is a very rare late complication of a ball-valve prosthesis.