Transurethral prostatic resection in patients with prosthetic cardiac valves

Twenty-one patients with prosthetic cardiac valves successfully underwent transurethral prostatic resection at the Mayo Clinic. Temperature elevation in 4 patients was the only postoperative complication; in particular, neither congestive heart failure nor thromboembolic complications developed and there were no operative deaths. Preoperative evaluation and clinical management of potential complications are based on the recognition of the complications that are peculiar to these patients. Particularly important is the proper use of antibiotics and anticoagulants and avoidance of overloading the circulation with fluid from open prostatic venous sinuses.