Biomaterial Database

Chronic systemic Dacron and Teflon embolization of a Beall model 103 mitral valve prosthesis. 1979

K J Ho

A case is presented of chronic systemic Dacron and Teflon embolism arising from a Beall Model 103 mitral valve prosthesis installed 11 years earlier. The emboli induced intense foreign body reaction resulting in numerous microgranulomas throughout the body. Multiple microinfarctions in the brain accounted for repeated episodes of transient ischemic attacks. Wearing of the prosthesis with consequent embolic complications seems to be the inevitable terminal fate of such early models of the Beall valve. Regular assessment of the functional status of such prostheses, particularly those in place for more than 5 years, is strongly recommended.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D008943	Mitral Valve	The valve between the left atrium and left ventricle of the heart.	Bicuspid Valve,Bicuspid Valves,Mitral Valves,Valve, Bicuspid,Valve, Mitral,Valves, Bicuspid,Valves, Mitral
D011093	Polyethylene Terephthalates	Polyester polymers formed from terephthalic acid or its esters and ethylene glycol. They can be formed into tapes, films or pulled into fibers that are pressed into meshes or woven into fabrics.	Dacron,Nalophan,PET Polymer,Poly(Ethylene Terephtalate),Polyethylene Terephthalate,Tedlar,Dacrons,Nalophans,PET Polymers,Tedlars,Terephthalate, Polyethylene,Terephthalates, Polyethylene
D011138	Polytetrafluoroethylene	Homopolymer of tetrafluoroethylene. Nonflammable, tough, inert plastic tubing or sheeting; used to line vessels, insulate, protect or lubricate apparatus; also as filter, coating for surgical implants or as prosthetic material. Synonyms: Fluoroflex; Fluoroplast; Ftoroplast; Halon; Polyfene; PTFE; Tetron.	FEP,Fluon,Politef,Polytef,TFE,Teflon,Expanded PTFE,Fluoroplast,GORE-TEX,Goretex,PTFE,Tarflen,GORE TEX,PTFE, Expanded
D001921	Brain	The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM.	Encephalon
D002542	Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis	Embolism or thrombosis involving blood vessels which supply intracranial structures. Emboli may originate from extracranial or intracranial sources. Thrombosis may occur in arterial or venous structures.	Brain Embolism and Thrombosis,Cerebral Embolism and Thrombosis,Embolism and Thrombosis, Brain
D004678	Encephalomalacia	Softening or loss of brain tissue following CEREBRAL INFARCTION; cerebral ischemia (see BRAIN ISCHEMIA), infection, CRANIOCEREBRAL TRAUMA, or other injury. The term is often used during gross pathologic inspection to describe blurred cortical margins and decreased consistency of brain tissue following infarction. Multicystic encephalomalacia refers to the formation of multiple cystic cavities of various sizes in the cerebral cortex of neonates and infants following injury, most notably perinatal hypoxia-ischemic events. (From Davis et al., Textbook of Neuropathology, 2nd ed, p665; J Neuropathol Exp Neurol, 1995 Mar;54(2):268-75)	Cerebromalacia,Encephalomalacia, Multicystic,Multicystic Encephalomalacia,Cerebromalacias,Encephalomalacias,Encephalomalacias, Multicystic,Multicystic Encephalomalacias
D005260	Female		Females
D005549	Foreign-Body Reaction	Chronic inflammation and granuloma formation around irritating foreign bodies.	Foreign Body Reaction,Reaction, Foreign-Body
D006099	Granuloma	A relatively small nodular inflammatory lesion containing grouped mononuclear phagocytes, caused by infectious and noninfectious agents.	Granulomas