Prosthetic Aortic Valve Thrombosis: Surgery or Thrombolysis

Mechanical prosthetic valve thrombosis is a serious complication which necessitates immediate intervention. The presenting signs and symptoms of this illness are somewhat variable, but physical examination and trans-esophageal-echocardiography enable rapid diagnosis. Valve replacement or thrombolysis in the correct hospital setting must be performed to avoid life-threatening complication without delay. But it is not proven entirely which therapy is superior. For any given patient, the risks of thrombolytic therapy, including bleeding, systemic embolism and failure to restore valvular function, must be weighed against the risks of surgical intervention. In spite of aggressive therapy, morbidity and mortality from prosthetic valve thrombosis and its treatment are not less indeed. This report describes the case of a woman with aortic prosthetic valves who presents with heart failure and evidence of severe prosthetic aortic valve dysfunction after a period of suboptimal anticoagulation.