[Fatal rupture of the ventricular strut of a Björk-Shiley prosthesis in mitral position. Description of a case, review of the literature and elements of differential diagnosis].

We describe a fatal case of outlet strut's fracture of a Björk-Shiley mitral valve prosthesis with displacement of the disc in left ventricular cavity. The acute, catastrophic nature of the symptoms associated with massive transvalvular regurgitation preclude survival except with immediate operation; consequently, we describe the clinical and instrumental elements for a very early diagnosis.