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A 24-year-old woman with rheumatic heart disease becomes febrile. On physical examination she has a systolic murmur. An echocardiogram shows vegetations of the aortic valve cusps. A blood culture is positive for Staphylococcus epidermidis. She receives a porcine bioprosthesis because of her desire to have children and not to take anticoagulant medication. After ten years, she must have this prosthetic valve replaced. Which of the following pathologic findings in the bioprosthesis has most likely led to the need for replacement?

A Dehiscence

B Endocarditis

C Strut failure

D Calcification

E Thrombosis

dd..calcification

EE...?

ans- D

expl :- The bioprosthesis has the advantage of not requiring anticoagulation, but it does not wear well with time, and typically must be replaced within 5 to 10 years when its leaflets undergo progressive calcification leading to stenosis.