Recurrent Ventricular Tachycardia; A Late Complication of Mitral Valve Replacement

A case of recurrent ventricular tachycardia occurring one year following mitral and aortic valve replacement is reported. The presence of the arrhythmia was suspected because of transient neurologic symptoms and was documented by continuous electrocardiographic monitoring. The episodic ventricular tachycardia was unresponsive to medical therapy, but was successfully treated by replacement of the mitral ball-cage prosthesis with a low-profile valve.