title: [Intracardiac thrombosis and consecutive thromboembolisms in patients with heart valve diseases: predisposition and concepts for prevention].
abstract: For patients with acquired heart valve lesions with increased risk for intracardiac thrombosis and consequent cardiogenic embolism there is consensus that oral anticoagulation therapy improves the overall prognosis. In mitral valve lesions anticoagulation is necessary after manifestation of atrial fibrillation or in cases of unstable sinus rhythm. The risk for thromboembolic events is increasing parallel to the enlargement of the left ventricular enddiastolic diameter, the left atrial size and dropping cardiac index. Spontaneous echo contrast (so called smoke like echos) indicate a prethrombotic state. In these cases an intensive anticoagulation is indicated. Aortic valve lesions require anticoagulation after manifestation of atrial fibrillation, the first manifestation of a thromboembolism or of spontaneous echo contrast. The risk for thromboembolism is increasing parallel to the reduction of left ventricular pump function. Life long oral anticoagulation therapy should be managed by use of the International Normalized Ratio (INR), and should be individualized taking into account patient related cardiac morphology and physiology, which may predispose to cardiogenic embolism. The target INR can range between 2.0 and 4.0.
authors.affiliation: Universitätsklinikum Benjamin Franklin der Freien Universität Berlin.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Piper
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Horstkotte
mesh_terms: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D019934:International Normalized Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents
vernacular_title: Intrakardiale Thrombose und konsekutive Thromboembolien bei Patienten mit Herzklappenfehlern: Prädisposition und Konzepte zur Prävention.