Entanglement of a Cardiac Catheter on a Heart-Valve Prosthesis

THIS report describes an unusual and potentially lethal complication of catheterization of the aortic root that occurred during study of a patient who had previously undergone replacement of the aortic valve with a ball-valve prosthesis (Magovern valve).1 Case Report M.B., a 23-year-old woman, was admitted to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania on October 12, 1965, complaining of chest pain, fatigue, and exertional dyspnea. In July, 1964, a No. 5 Magovern prosthesis had been implanted for the correction of massive aortic insufficiency. After operation she did very well until 1 month before the present admission, when evidence of recurrence . . .