St. Jude medical valve in pulmonary position: anticoagulation and thrombosis.
Between 1979 and 1985, 5 patients underwent pulmonary valve replacement with a St. Jude Medical valve. During follow-up ranging from 30 months to 18 years, there were 6 episodes of valve thrombosis in 4 patients. Three episodes were treated by thrombolysis. Reoperation was necessary in 3 patients. Although the St. Jude Medical valve in the pulmonary position can occasionally function long-term without anticoagulation, these cases show the high risk of thrombosis and need for anticoagulation.
Nurozler
Feza
F
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA. feza_n@hotmail.com
Bradley
Scott M
SM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000601:surgery*; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011664:Pulmonary Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin