Safer anticoagulant therapy after heart valve replacement. Recommendations for less intense regimens.
The use of anticoagulants in patients who undergo heart valve replacement greatly reduces the rate of thromboembolism but increases the risk of bleeding. A number of studies have been done to determine the efficacy of anticoagulation regimens that are less intense than those considered standard. Dr Turpie reviews these and lists the current recommendations of the American College of Chest Physicians.
Turpie
A G
AG
McMaster University Faculty of Health Sciences, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. turpiea@FHS.McMaster.CA
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004176:Dipyridamole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000925:Anticoagulants; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D014859:Warfarin; D004176:Dipyridamole; D001241:Aspirin