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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Does A Mechanical Aortic Valve Narrow?

69 yr old male, mechanical aortic valve replaced 5 years ago, now CHF, possibly stage 4, possible narrowing of mechanical aortic valve per cardio dr. Previous MI, bilateral carotid surgery, type 2 diabetes, sedentary, extreme negative attiude, anger, depression. How does the mechanical valve narrow??
posted on Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Twitter Thu, 11 Jun 2015 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 12 Jun 2015 Last reviewed on
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Cardiologist,  's  Response
Hello! Thank you for asknig on HCM! Regarding your concern, I would explain that a mechanical aortic valve may become narrow is two ways:
(1) thrombus formation, which may be evidenced as a not so echo dense mass by cardiac ultrasound, and in general is associated wit ha history of inadequate anticoagulation; and
(2) Pannus formation, which not rarely is not evidenced by standard transthoracic echocardiography, and is generally a late complication of mechanical valves.

Clinical, echacardiographic data are necessary to differentiate between these two entities.

Hope to have been helpful. Greetings! Dr. Iliri
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How Does A Mechanical Aortic Valve Narrow?

Hello! Thank you for asknig on HCM! Regarding your concern, I would explain that a mechanical aortic valve may become narrow is two ways: (1) thrombus formation, which may be evidenced as a not so echo dense mass by cardiac ultrasound, and in general is associated wit ha history of inadequate anticoagulation; and (2) Pannus formation, which not rarely is not evidenced by standard transthoracic echocardiography, and is generally a late complication of mechanical valves. Clinical, echacardiographic data are necessary to differentiate between these two entities. Hope to have been helpful. Greetings! Dr. Iliri