Retrograde strut embolization in a fractured Björk-Shiley mitral prosthesis.

The case of the minor strut fracture of a Björk-Shiley convexo-concave mitral valve, with retrograde embolization to a pulmonary vein is presented. Migration probably occurred during ventricular systole and the strut became anchored to the pulmonary vein wall. The patient underwent emergency mitral valve replacement with event free recovery.

Recurrent pericarditis. Relief with colchicine.

Recurrence is one of the major complications of pericarditis. Treatment of recurrence is often difficult, and immunosuppressive drugs or surgery may be necessary. We conducted an open-label prospective study of nine patients (seven men and two women; age, 18-64 years; mean age, 41.

Patency of internal mammary artery grafts in no-flow situations.

We report two cases in which an internal mammary artery graft was found to be nonfunctional in the early postoperative period, but repeat catheterization at 6 months revealed the graft to be patent. These two cases substantiate that closure of an internal mammary artery graft may be reversible.