Evaluating the etiology of mechanical valve obstruction: use of clinical parameters, fluoroscopy, and echocardiography.

Prosthetic valve obstruction is a life-threatening complication most commonly caused by thrombus, pannus, or both. We report a St. Jude tricuspid valve obstruction, initially treated with thrombolytic therapy, found to be caused by pannus on pathologic examination. Clinical evaluation and diagnostic evaluation with fluoroscopy and echocardiography in distinguishing pannus from thrombus are reviewed. Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.