Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026

An Image Guided Transapical Mitral Valve Leaflet Puncture Model of Controlled Volume Overload from Mitral Regurgitation in the Rat
Published on: May 19, 2020
Dysfunction of a bileaflet mechanical valve in mitral position: absence of symptoms despite a completely fixed
Abstract:
We report the case of 62 year-old asymptomatic woman with a bileaflet mechanical prosthesis implanted 1 year ago. Routine transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) showed that one leaflet was fixed in semi-closed position, which was confirmed by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and cinefluoroscopy. The paradoxical absence of symptoms despite a complete restriction of one leaflet may be due to the fact that this patient had a very small body surface area and received a prosthesis with an excellent hemodynamic performance. The presence of a large compliant left atrial chamber may have also contributed to limit the effects of valve dysfunction on the pulmonary circulation.
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