Bioprosthetic heart valve rupture associated with trauma.

Disruption of a bovine pericardial bioprosthetic aortic heart valve occurred in a motor vehicle accident, and was treated by valve replacement for progressive aortic insufficiency. Leaflet rupture was through areas of noninflammatory tissue degeneration, corresponding to regions of repeated mechanical stress and trauma that occur during the normal function of tissue valves. Patients with bioprosthetic heart valves may be predisposed to traumatic valve injury. Early diagnosis and replacement of these disrupted valves should be accomplished to avoid sudden, unpredictable heart failure.