Recurrent prosthetic heart valve thrombosis secondary to eosinophilia: A missed diagnosis

Abstract

Prosthetic heart valve thrombosis (PHVT) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with mechanical heart valves. We present a case of recurrent PHVT associated with eosinophilia. A 17-year-old girl underwent aortic and mitral valve replacement for rheumatic heart disease. Over a period of 4 years, she had four episodes of PHVT despite oral anticoagulation with adequate INR. Her investigations revealed eosinophilia which was missed during the previous episodes. No further episodes of PHVT occurred after treatment of eosinophilia with steroids on limited follow-up.