[Successful surgical treatment of subdural hematoma following mitral valve replacement]

A 56-year-old woman, followed after mitral commissurotomy, was admitted to the hospital because of congestive heart failure of NYHA IV. Cardiac catheterization demonstrated severe MSR and TR. MVR using a SJM prosthetic valve and TAP with DeVega's method were performed under cardiopulmonary bypass with moderate hypothermia (25 degrees C). Postoperative hemodynamic condition was good with a uneventful convalescence. But disturbance of consciousness was seen with gradual deterioration and anisocoria developed on the 4th postoperative day. CT scan revealed a subdural hematoma in the right frontal and parietal region. Irrigation of the hematoma was performed immediately by neurosurgeons. She resumed full consciousness and was discharged from the hospital without any sequelae on the 49th postoperative day. The importance of the early diagnosis and the immediate treatment for the subdural hematoma following open heart surgery was emphasized.