Mechanical valve dysfunction in Yemen

Rheumatic heart disease is the most common cardiac disease in Yemen. It is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Valve replacement is the most common open heart surgery procedure in our cardiac center. The use of mechanical valves remains burdened with serious complications such as thrombosis. Valve thrombosis is still associated with high mortality(]) The reported mortality rate of the redo operation ranges from 8 to 20% and up to 37-54% in critically ill patients.