Unusual Structural Valve Degeneration in a Cloth-Covered Starr-Edwards Valve

Abstract

Structural valve degeneration in a mechanical ball and cage prosthesis is a well-described entity. Here we describe an unusual case of structural valve degeneration of a cloth-covered composite-seat Starr-Edwards ball and cage valve prosthesis in the mitral position, where degeneration of the cloth covering of the seat of the valve led to significant intravalvular mitral regurgitation.