The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Vol 77, 875-879, Copyright © 1979 by The American Association for Thoracic Surgery and The Western Thoracic Surgical Association
Chronic systemic Dacron and Teflon embolization of a Beall model 103 mitral valve prosthesis
KJ Ho
A case is presented of chronic systemic Dacron and Teflon embolism arising
from a Beall Model 103 mitral valve prosthesis installed 11 years earlier.
The emboli induced intense foreign body reaction resulting in numerous
microgranulomas throughout the body. Multiple microinfarctions in the brain
accounted for repeated episodes of transient ischemic attacks. Wearing of
the prosthesis with consequent embolic complications seems to be the
inevitable terminal fate of such early models of the Beall valve. Regular
assessment of the functional status of such prostheses, particularly those
in place for more than 5 years, is strongly recommended.