Early calcific stenosis of aortic and mitral Ionescu-Shiley valves in a patient with bioprosthetic infection.

The clinical course of a patient with bioprosthetic failure of aortic and mitral Ionescu-Shiley valves (which contain bovine pericardial leaflets) is presented. Failure occurred in less than 4 months and was due to infection that resulted in calcification and severe stenosis. On examination of tissue specimens under light and electron microscopes, the pathological process was seen to be similar o that occurring with infected porcine prostheses.