Successful thrombectomy for thrombosis of aortic composite valve graft in pregnancy

Prosthetic heart valve thrombosis in Pregnancy is a life-threatening complication whose management remains controversial and particularly difficult because of the additional challenge to save the fetus. Thrombolysis, thrombectomy, or prosthetic replacement are the currently available options. We report the case of a 17-week pregnant patient who was successfully treated by emergency open-heart thrombectomy for thrombosis of an aortic composite valve graft. Pregnancy was carried to term and a healthy baby was vaginally delivered 5 months later. (C) 2003 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.