The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 27, 465-467, Copyright © 1979 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Delayed rupture of the left ventricle after mitral valve replacement with bioprosthesis
L Nunez, M Gil-Aguado, M Cerron and P Celemin
Rupture of the posterior ventricular wall after mitral valve replacement is
a complication rarely reported in the literature. Perforation of the left
ventricle after mitral valve replacement with a bioprosthesis has been
described in only 3 patients. We have had 2 patients with this complication
out of 322 patients who had mitral valve replacement with bioprosthesis.
These perforations were caused by impingement of the posterior strut of the
bioprosthesis on the posterior left ventricular wall, with intramyocardial
hematoma and delayed rupture of the left ventricle.