Abstract
A 61 year-old woman, who underwent replacement of the aortic and mitral valves in 1991, complained of chest oppression and dyspnea, and was admitted to the ICU of our hospital in April, 1997. Thrombus around the mitral prosthesis and the immobilized posterior leaflet detected by transesophageal echocardiogram implied a stuck valve due to valvular thrombosis. Emergency mitral valve replacement was planed, but hypotension and pulmonary congestion were deteriorated before the operating room was fit for use. As any one of the inotropics including epinephrine, fluid therapy, and mechanical ventilation could not correct the patient's condition, we decided to apply a percutaneous cardiopulmonary support system (PCPS) to prevent circulatory collapse and probable death. PCPS could effectively maintain cardiopulmonary performance until the operation and the mitral valve was successfully replaced. We conclude that the bridge use of PCPS is effective while waiting for emergency valve replacement for a thrombotic stuck valve associated with fatal cardiac failure.
