Mitral Valve Stenosis Progression Due to Severe Calcification on Glutaraldehyde-Treated Autologous Pericardium: Word of Caution for an Attractive Repair Technique

A 42-year-old woman presented with a 6-month history of palpitations and progressive dyspnea on exertion. She had undergone aortic and mitral valve repair using glutaraldehyde-treated autologous pericardium for active infective endocarditis 5 years prior. Transthoracic echocardiography showed mitral valve stenosis with limited movement of the anterior leaflet. At redo surgery, severe calcification of the glutaraldehyde-treated pericardial patch on the anterior mitral leaflet was observed. Double valve replacement was performed with pulmonary vein isolation. Pathologic examination showed calcification of the glutaraldehyde-treated autologous pericardium. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 11 with oral anticoagulant therapy. (C) 2015 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons