Transesophageal Echocardiography for the Diagnosis and Management of Nonobstructive Thrombosis of Mechanical Mitral Valve Prosthesis

Abstract

Transesophageal echocardiography appears to be a reliable method to diagnose thrombi on a mechanical mitral valve prosthesis, even when transthoracic Doppler echocardiographic parameters appear to be normal. Transesophageal echo assessment of thrombus size may be helpful in deciding whether a patient with mitral prosthesis should be treated by anticoagulation, thrombolysis, or valve rereplacement.