Survival after embolization of a complete prosthetic aortic valve to the aortic arch.

Partial dehiscence and embolization of poppets, leaflets, and discs are well-known complications of mechanical valve prostheses. Dehiscence with embolization of an entire prosthetic valve is rare. Previous reports of dehiscence and embolization of an entire prosthetic valve are associated with fatality and are the subject of autopsy reports. We report a patient who survived an operation (using cardiopulmonary bypass and total circulatory arrest) to retrieve an embolized prosthetic valve.