title: Low-intensity anticoagulation in mechanical cardiac prosthetic valves.
abstract: Retrospectively, we reviewed the charts of 101 patients at the University of Kansas Medical Center who received low-intensity anticoagulation for mechanical prosthetic valves implanted over a 17-yr period. The mean duration of follow-up was 4.6 yr, and the total duration of follow-up was 466.5 patient-yr. The patients' records were evaluated for evidence of hemorrhagic or thromboembolic complications. A prothrombin time ratio of 1.3 to 1.5 times control was considered to be low-intensity anticoagulation. There were three thromboembolic events or 2.9/100 patient-yr of follow-up at a prothrombin time ratio of less than 1.3, four thromboembolic events or 2.5/100 patient-yr of follow-up at 1.3 to 1.5 times control, four thromboembolic events or 2.2/100 patient-yr of follow-up at 1.6 to 2.0 times control, and no thromboembolic events at prothrombin time ratios greater than 2.0 times control. Hemorrhagic events occurred in three patients at a prothrombin time ratio of less than 1.3 times control or 2.8/100 patient-yr of follow-up, in six patients at 1.3 to 1.5 times control or 3.8/100 patient-yr of follow-up, in ten patients at 1.6 to 2.0 times control or 5.5/100 patient-yr of followup, and in two patients at 2.1 to 2.5 times control or 12.2/100 patient-yr of follow-up. The rate of hemorrhagic events at 2.5 times control was 470/100 patient-yr follow-up. While not providing definitive proof, we believe that our retrospective study provides supportive evidence for the use of low-intensity anticoagulation in patients with mechanical cardiac prostheses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City.
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hassanein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011517:Prothrombin Time; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants