Abstract
Even though it is a rare complication, the pro-coagulant condition of pregnancy may predispose to thrombosis of a bio-prosthetic mitral valve (BPMV). We report the successful reduced-dose, slow infusion of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) to a BPMV thrombosis in a pregnant woman. When the patient was seen in the emergency clinic she was dyspnoeic and tachycardic and evaluated as NYHA class III-IV. On transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) the BPMV leaflet movement was restricted and a high transmitral valve gradient was measured. Transoesophageal echocardiography showed thrombosis of the BPMV. After slow infusion of t-PA with heparin, on TTE the gradient was decreased with free movement of the BPMV leaflet and with fast clinical improvement.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 446-448 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Acta Cardiologica |
Volume | 68 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2013 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Bio-prosthetic mitral valve
- Echocardiography
- Pregnancy
- Thrombolysis
- t-PA