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Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Technique and Patient Selection Criteria of Right Anterior Mini-Thoracotomy for Minimal Access Aortic Valve Replacement
Published on: March 26, 2018
Aortic valve replacement in a patient with thalassemia intermedia
Dimitrios Farmakis1, Aikaterini Polonifi, Spyros Deftereos
1First Department of Internal Medicine, University of Athens Medical School, Laiko Hospital, Athens, Greece. dfarm1@panafonet.gr
Abstract:
Pseudoxanthoma elasticum-like diffuse elastic tissue defects and hypercoagulability are two well-established features in beta-thalassemia, which play a key role in the development of a spectrum of collateral complications in these patients. We present here a middle-aged thalassemia intermedia patient with severe aortic stenosis caused by heavy calcification of the valve, a hallmark of pseudoxanthoma elasticum. The patient underwent a successful replacement of the valve, which is the first such operation ever reported in these patients. However, rapid thrombosis leaded to failure of the mechanical valve, despite proper antithrombotic therapy.
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