[Emergent mitral valve replacement in the second trimester of pregnancy]

A 28-year-old woman with heart failure was hospitalized at 21 weeks of gestation. Nine years previously mitral regurgitation was diagnosed, and she underwent mitral valve replacement with a Carpentier-Edwards pericardial valve. Echocardiography revealed primary tissue failure of the mitral prosthesis. Emergent mitral valve replacement was performed. Normothermic high-flow high-pressure pulsatile perfusion was performed during cardiopulmonary bypass. Fetal heart rate was monitored, and it remained above 150 bpm throughout the operation. No bradycardia was observed. The degenerated prosthetic valve was replaced with another Carpentier-Edwards pericardial valve to ensure a safe pregnancy and delivery. Pregnancy was carried to term, and a healthy baby was delivered vaginally.