Catheter entrapment in a Björk-Shiley prosthesis in aortic position

This report describes a lethal complication which occurred during retrograde catheterization of the left ventricle across a Björk-Shiley prosthesis. The authors were called upon to testify as experts in malpractice proceedings in this case. After an 8F Sones catheter had been passed through the small side orifice of the prosthesis and three ventriculograms had been carried out, it was apparent that the movement of the tilting disc valve was considerably impaired and that the catheter had become irreversibly trapped. As a consequence the patient died of irreversible left heart failure before an operation could be performed. Consequently passing a tilting disc valve can no longer be considered as completely safe. This procedure should only be used under exceptional circumstances requiring very strict indication. If such an intervention is necessary, then it should only be performed by experienced cardiologists, who should take all possible precautions to reduce risks.