Disc embolization from a Beall mitral valve prosthesis

Although embolization of the disc from a Beall valve is rare, several reports in the literature have identified patients suffering this complication. This report details the clinical and radiologic course of a patient with an embolized disc from a Model 103 Beall mitral valve prosthesis. The patient lived approximately 39 hours without the disc prior to surgical correction. Depending on the cardiac reserve and the amount of pannus formation, patients may live long enough to allow surgical correction of this complication.