title: The clinical assessment and management of patients with prosthetic cardiac valves: A review of current practice at the Cardiac Clinic, Groote Schuur Hospital.
abstract: This review deals with the clinical assessment and management of patients with prosthetic cardiac valves. The types of prosthesis available are considered, with special reference to those which have been used frequently at Groot Schuur Hospital. The common complications encountered are described, as well as the clinical features of normally and abnormally functioning prostheses. The management of anticoagulant medication, pregnancy, infective endocarditis, systemic embolism and haemolysis in these patients is discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on the urgent referral to a cardiac department of patients with posthetic malfunction or conditions in which there is a potential for the development of malfunction.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D004617:Embolism; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006326:Heart Auscultation; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D006351:Heart Valves / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006461:Hemolysis; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011859:Radiography
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants