A case of arterial embolization of a Beall mitral prosthesis disc (model 104) 5 1/2 years after implantation is presented. The patient was referred to us 3 days after the onset of acute symptoms and was immediately operated upon in pulmonary edema and cardiogenic shock. The migrated disc was removed from the abdominal aorta 26 days later, showing marked signs of wear. The postoperative course was complicated and the patient made a slow recovery. It is suggested that patients with models 103 and 104 Beall mitral prostheses be followed very closely and that elective valve substitution should be considered when first signs of prosthetic attrition are noted.
Beall mitral prosthesis - Acute prosthetic failure - Prosthetic poppet dislodgement - Emergency surgery
