Strut fracture of a Björk-Shiley mitral valve prosthesis with successful reoperation.

Component failure of a mechanical valve is an extremely serious complication. We experienced strut fracture and disc embolization of a 27 mm Björk-Shiley convexo-concave mitral valve prosthesis implanted one year and 9 months previously. The emergency operation was successful. In the follow-up of patients with Björk-Shiley convexo-concave models manufactured before March 1982, the possibility of strut fracture should be kept in mind.