THROMBOLYSIS AS A SAFE FRONTIER IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PROSTHETIC VALVE DYSFUNCTION (STUCK VALVE)

Abstract

Background : A stuck valve is the rare, highly lethal complication of mechanical prosthetic valves on oral anticoagulants, associated with signicant morbidity and mortality requiring emergency management. Methods : A prospective observational study was conducted on patients at cardiology department, Prathima institute of medical sciences (Karimnagar), who had recently developed stuck valves and were treated with streptokinase. We studiedResults : patients (n=44) receiving thrombolytic therapy with streptokinase between the period (12/2020 – 03/2022). The patients achieved 93.1% freedom from repeat operations or major complications. Haemorrhagic stroke occurred in two (4.5%) patients, a neurological decit in three (6.8%), an allergic reaction in one (2.25%), and death in one patient during therapy due to refractory cardiogenic shock (2.25%). Mortality was higher in haemodynamically unstable patients compared to those with haemodynamic stability. Thrombolytic therapy with streptokinase is a highly effective and safe treatment inConclusions : haemodynamically stable as well as unstable patients with stuck mechanic prosthetic valves