Evaluation of the marker of hypercoagulability prothrombin fragment F 1+2 in patients with mechanical or biological heart valve prostheses.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether patients with heart valve prostheses and similar International Normalized Ratios (INR) have the same level of protection against thromboembolic events, that is, whether the anticoagulation intensity is related to the intensity of hypercoagulability suppression.


METHODS
INR and plasma levels of prothrombin fragment 1+2 (F1+2) were assessed in blood samples of 27 patients (7 with mechanical heart valves and 20 with biological heart valves) and 27 blood samples from healthy donors that were not taking any medication.


RESULTS
Increased levels of F1+2 were observed in blood samples of 5 patients with heart valve prostheses taking warfarin. These findings reinforce the idea that even though patients may have INRs, within the therapeutic spectrum, they are not free from new thromboembolic events.


CONCLUSIONS
Determination of the hypercoagulability marker F1+2 might result in greater efficacy and safety for the use of oral anticoagulants, resulting in improved quality of life for patients.
Ferreira
Claudia Natália
CN
Depto de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia da UFMG, 30180-112-Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. pswanner@bhlink.com.br
Vieira
Lauro Mello
LM
Dusse
Luci Maria Sant'Ana
LM
Amaral
Carlos Faria Santos
CF
de Magalhães Esteves
William Antônio
WA
Fenelon
Lúcia Maria Amorim
LM
das Graças Carvalho
Maria
M
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D005260:Female; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D019934:International Normalized Ratio; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011516:Prothrombin; D011517:Prothrombin Time; D019851:Thrombophilia / Q000097:blood* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000925:Anticoagulants; D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; C045879:prothrombin fragment 1.2; D014859:Warfarin; D011516:Prothrombin; D001241:Aspirin