Beall-Surgitool Prosthetic Valve

The patient is a 59 year old gentleman with mitral stenosis. At age 29, he underwent the first of 3 open heart procedures to replace his mitral valve. He later presented with atrial fibrillation and syncope with associated exertional chest pain and dyspnea. Angiography failed to disclose significant atherosclerotic disease and valvular hemodynamics were within normal limits. The patient did well after AV node ablation and permanent pacemaker for sick sinus syndrome

Fluoroscopy showed a Beall-Surgitool valve in the mitral position, identified by its radiographic appearance (Mehlman and Resnekov, Circulation Vol 27, March 1978) . Despite Reports of structural failure, this valve was functioning normally.