Strut-fracture of a Björk-Shiley tilting disc valve diagnosed by echocardiography--a case report

A 40-year-old man with Björk-Shiley valves implanted in the aortic and mitral positions nine months previously presented with central chest pain. Shortly after admission he developed clinical features consistent with left ventricular failure. Fracture of the mitral prosthesis was diagnosed by echocardiography. At emergency operation the outlet strut of the mitral valve was found to be fractured and the disc was in the left ventricle. The patient survived valve re-placement and is in good health four years later.