Evidence for the need of long-term antithrombotic therapy in patients with porcine heterograft heart valve.
The plasma levels of two platelet specific proteins, namely beta-thromboglobulin (beta TG) and platelet factor 4 (PT4), were investigated in 86 patients with different types of artificial valves, biological and disc, at different times after valve insertion. Significant differences were demonstrated for both proteins with increased age of the disc valve. On the other hand, no significant change in the high average levels was shown for patients with porcine heterograft (Hancock). The general view of anticoagulate or antiaggregate lasting only a few months after bioprosthesis insertion has to be carefully evaluated again.
D000818:Animals; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D010978:Platelet Factor 4 / Q000032:analysis; D013552:Swine; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013995:Time; D001620:beta-Thromboglobulin / Q000032:analysis
D001620:beta-Thromboglobulin; D010978:Platelet Factor 4