Having passed the 30th anniversary of the first implantation of a Bj?rk-Shiley convexo-concave tilting mechanical valve, recognition of the life-threatening complication of strut fracture is not widespread. The authors report the case of a 48-year-old man with acute-onset chest pain and dyspnea found to have strut fracture and disk embolization of a 26-year-old Bj?rk-Shiley prosthetic aortic valve. The value of echocardiography in the diagnosis of this condition is discussed.
Acute Disease Aortic Valve