title: Embolic stroke in a pregnant patient with a mechanical heart valve on optimal heparin therapy.
abstract: A 28-year-old woman with a mechanical aortic heart valve experienced an embolic stroke in early pregnancy after her anticoagulation therapy was changed from warfarin to heparin. This occurred despite use of a subcutaneous heparin infusion pump and optimal anticoagulation. Thromboembolism can occur in pregnant patients with mechanical heart valves despite optimal heparin therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Perinatal Medicine, Sioux Valley Hospital, South Dakota, USA.
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Benson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001021:Aortic Valve; D005260:Female; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D015918:Infusion Pumps, Implantable; D002542:Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D006493:Heparin