Pannus formation in prosthetic valves
|Pannus formation in prosthetic valves
Pannus is the ingrowth of fibrous tissue into the valve apparatus in case of prosthetic valves, causing valve dysfunction, usually increasing the transvalvular gradients.
- Pannus formation is more common in the aortic position.
- Pannus is usually firmly fixed to the valve apparatus and may cause a pre valve jet on colour Doppler.
- Pannus is highly echogenic and immobile, compared to a thrombus which is less echogenic and mobile.