Acute but intermittent sticking of a Björk-Shiley mitral valve in closed position

An acute, intermittent sticking of a Björk-Shiley valve placed in the mitral position is described. It occurred shortly after the valve replacement, but 9 hours later, this 10-year-old female patient recovered from the accident without reoperation. Fluid infusion, left atrial compression, a sharp precordial blow or atrioventricular sequential pacing were effective for unlocking or prevention of the stuck valve. The mechanism was suspected to be impingement of remnant chordae tendinea.