title: [The thrombosis service as a source of information for studies in patients with heart valve prostheses].
abstract: A new study design was evaluated for the estimation of the incidence of thromboembolic complications, bleeding complications and endocarditis in patients with prosthetic heart valves. Thromboembolism is a serious complication in patients with artificial heart valves. Consequently lifelong anticoagulation therapy is indicated for such patients. In the Netherlands the intensity of the anticoagulation is monitored by a network of regional anticoagulation services. The computerized patient information system of the Leiden anticoagulation service was used for a two year follow-up study of patients with mechanical heart valves. In these years anticoagulation was monitored in 273 patients with a total follow-up period of 442 patient-years. The incidence figures for thromboembolism, bleeding complications and endocarditis were 0.9/100 patient-years, 5.6/100 patient-years and 0.2/100 patient-years, respectively. The findings are similar to those of classical follow-up studies. This method is not suitable for detection of the direct early postoperative mortality or for follow-up of patient with heterografts. We conclude that the detection and follow-up by means of regional anticoagulation service offers an opportunity to investigate patients with mechanical heart valves in an efficient way without notable selection.
authors.affiliation: Academisch Ziekenhuis, Gebouw I. CO-P, Leiden.
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Chandie Shaw
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: van der Meer
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: van der Meer
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Vandenbroucke
authors.forename: F R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Rosendaal
mesh_terms: D000206:Actuarial Analysis; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006296:Health Services; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants
vernacular_title: De trombosedienst als bron van informatie voor onderzoek bij patiënten met hartklepprothesen.