FATAL EMBOLIZATION OF BALL PORTION OF STARR-EDWARDS-AORTIC-VALVE-PROSTHESIS

We report an unusual case of a Starr-Edwards aortic valve malfunction with fatal dislodgment and embolization of its ball portion to the dis tal abdominal aorta,just above the bifurcation, leading to sudden deat h. This case is unusual in that it is, to date, the longest time elaps ed between valve placement and ball dislodgment.