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Updated: Aug 10, 2026

Protocol for Relative Hydrodynamic Assessment of Tri-leaflet Polymer Valves
Published on: October 17, 2013
Atypical clinical presentation of bileaflet cardiac prosthetic valve dysfunction. Preliminary report
H D Theron1, J J Jacobs, J D Marx
1Department of Cardiology, University of the Orange Free State, Bloemfontein.
Abstract:
Single-leaflet disc immobilisation in 3 patients with St Jude Medical prostheses and 1 patient with a Carbo Medics valve prosthesis resulted in mild mitral regurgitation without acute pulmonary oedema. Three patients presented with slowly worsening pulmonary congestion while 1 patient had neurological symptoms. Clinicians need to be aware of the possibility of single-leaflet failure in a bileaflet cardiac valve prosthesis, because haemodynamic deterioration occurs insidiously in these patients, resulting in atypical symptoms and signs.
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