July 2006

Question:

In this TEE clip showing a mechanical mitral valve:

-         What is the type of this mechanical valve?

-         What is your comment on its function from this view ? 

Answer:

-It is a bileaflet St. Judd mechanical mitral valve.

- Assessment using one view is difficult, however; it appears from this clip that both leaflets open completely causing parallel shadows characteristic of mitral mechanical valve and no mass appears to obstruct the valve. It is a well functioning valve.