The manufacturer was informed of this event through the patient tracking department.Based on the information received on the patient's implant forms, a carbomedics top hat valve (s5-023) was implanted on (b)(6) 2022.The device was explanted on (b)(6) 2022 and replaced with another top hat s5-023.No allegation of a device malfunction nor serious injury was received from the hospital regarding this event.Per the operational report provided, the device was explanted due to endocarditis.The patient had positive blood cultures with coag-negative staphylococcus.Patient was previously noted with an echodensity on the atrial septum.Recent transthoracic echocardiogram showed the gradient increase across both mitral and aortic valves.Aortic insufficiency was also noted.Since the patient had a recent severe deterioration of respiratory function, it was decided to to attempt the surgery to recognize if the patient's sepsis can be better controlled and to rule out valvular dysfunction due to infection.During the tee performed in or, both mitral and aortic valves seemed to be opening and closing normally.While there was increased gradient across the valve, no severe dysfunction was noted.A small paravalvular leak across the aortic valve and a thickening of atrial septum (as noted before) was noticed.No other vegetations were seen on the valve.Based on the medical note, the perivalvular leak was believed to be due to endocarditis.The patient seemed to be deteriorating despite the good antibiotic coverage.Thus, the medical decision was made to continue with the operation.During the operation, once the previous sternotomy incision was incised, there was some edema of the tissues with no obvious infection of the soft tissues or sternum.Patient was heparinized and other steps of the operation were performed.As reported during the aortic valve inspection, no vegetations or visible infection were seen on the aortic valve or annulus.Leaflets were opening and closing normally.A tiny gap between the annulus and sewing ring on the noncoronary side was noticed as a small nerve hook could pass through.The aortic valve was sharply incised and the tissue from the valve and annulus was sent for culture, but no infection on the annulus itself was visible during the surgery.The annulus was carefully debrided and all the pledgets were removed form the previous surgery, sizing was performed and size 23 carbomedics was chosen one more time to be implanted.A small strip of teflon was left between the valve ring and the aortic annulus and on the noncoronary side to prevent from any paravalvular leak in this area.A mitral valve replacement and a root enlargement were performed during the same procedure.The patient was taken to icu in stable condition.
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