ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 November 1987
Page Count: 5

Embolization of Cotton Pledgets Following Insertion of Porcine Cardiac Valve Bioprostheses
Lifschultz, BD
Deputy medical examiner, Office of the Medical Examiner of Cook County, IL

Donoghue, ER
Deputy chief medical examiner, Office of the Medical Examiner of Cook County, IL

Leestma, JE
Professor of pathology and neurology, Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, IL

Boade, WA
Medical director of laboratory, Sioux Valley Hospital, SD

(Received 30 March 1987; accepted 7 April 1987)

Abstract

A variety of complications involving heart valve implants have been documented. Embolism originating from thrombosis of the valve has been a recurrent problem in mechanical and to a lesser extent porcine implants. We report two accidental deaths as a result of embolization of cotton pledgets from porcine valves. Hospital personnel failed to remove this cotton material from the valves before surgical placement. In the first case, when portions of the pledgets embolized to both carotid arteries, fatal cerebral infarction occurred. In the second case, portions of the pledgets embolized to a coronary artery producing severe left ventricular failure.

Keywords:
pathology and biology, accidents, prosthetic devices, iatrogenic injury, cardiac valve prosthesis

Paper ID: JFS11237J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS11237J
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.