Pulmonary valve replacement for pulmonary thrombus formation after previous aortic valve replacement, Guillain-Barré syndrome and enterococcal sepsis

Acquired disease of the pulmonary valve requiring surgery is rare. We report the case of a 70-year-old male presenting with pulmonary valve insufficiency and pulmonary emboli originating from a thrombus formation adhering to the pulmonary valve occurring despite dicoumarol anticoagulation for previous aortic valve surgery. Two years ago he experienced Guillain-Barre syndrome and one year ago enterococcal sepsis which were treated medically. Apart from a previous prolonged ICU stay no predisposing factors for right sided endocarditis could be found. The pulmonary lesion was surgically corrected with removal of the thrombus and excision of the pulmonary valve. Reconstruction of the valve and pulmonary artery was performed with a semistentless xenograft valved conduit. 2005 Published by European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.