Rare case of a patient with recurrent thrombosis of a mechanical valve during pregnancy

There is always a risk during the pregnancy of a patient with a prosthetic valve. Thrombosis of a prosthetic valve is one of the most severe complications that may be life-threatening to both the mother and the foetus. Thrombosis of a prosthetic valve may be treated either with thrombolysis or surgically, which both may be accompanied by severe complications. Our case report presents the case of a pregnant patient who underwent treatment step by step with both of the methods mentioned above. At the time the first mechanical mitral valve thrombosis occurred, she underwent thrombolysis which was successful despite the transient neurologic deficit. Upon the recurring thrombosis during her second pregnancy, a decision was made to proceed with a reoperation to implant a mitral bioprosthesis due to high thrombotic risk. The pregnancy was later terminated for a genetic disorder upon the request of the patient. (C) 2015 The Czech Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved.