[Vegetating endocarditis on a Hancock valve. Diagnostic value of echocardiography (author's transl)]

Vegetations of endocarditis are frequently seen at echocardiography performed in patients with infective endocarditis. The presence of such vegetations was demonstrated on a Hancock porcine heterograft inserted two years' previously. These vegetations were responsible for quite severe stenosis and had produced systemic emboli on two occasions. Histological examination after valve replacement confirmed the echographic findings.