Late-occurrence hemolytic anemia after mitral valve bioprosthesis. 2 cases
Piquemal, R.; Fauchier, L.; Regimbeau, C.; Babuty, D.; Neville, P.; Renard, J.P.
Archives des Maladies du Coeur et des Vaisseaux 91(7): 879-881
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-9683 PMID: 9749180 Document Number: 490035
The authors report the cases of two patients admitted to hospital for investigation of haemolytic anaemia. Both had undergone, 10 and 12 years previously, mitral valve replacement with a Ionescu-Shiley bioprosthesis. In both cases, in the absence of signs of cardiac failure, Doppler echocardiography showed mitral regurgitation. The association of haemolytic anaemia and dysfunction of the bioprosthesis led to redux valve replacement and correction of the anaemia. Haemolytic anaemia was the presenting sign of bioprosthetic valve dysfunction requiring replacement of the prosthesis. This complication is common with mechanical valve prostheses but much more rare in bioprosthetic valves.