Early pericardial valve deterioration as a result of adhesions with native mitral valve.

We report an unusual case of early pericardial tissue valve prosthesis deterioration that required replacement. Four years after mitral valve replacement, 1 of the 3 leaflets of the valve was thickened and retracted in a fixed open position, which resulted in severe mitral insufficiency. The cause of this was adhesion of the leaflet and the patient's own retained posterior mitral valve leaflet. The finding was confirmed at operation and by histologic examination.