title: [Tricuspid valve replacement and anticoagulation therapy: a report of 70 cases].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the operative indication, the choice of valve prostheses, and the method of anticoagulation therapy of tricuspid valve replacement (TVR).
  
  
  METHODS
  From May 1998 to January 2008, 70 patients underwent TVR. There were 59 cases of rheumatic heart diseases. The operations included mitral and tricuspid valve replacement for 37 cases, triple valve replacement for 18 cases, isolated TVR for 13 cases, and tricuspid and aortic valve replacement for 2 cases. All the patients received oral anticoagulant therapy (warfarin) 2 d after the operations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 3 in-hospital deaths (4.3%) and 1 late death (0.4%). The follow-up rate was 88.1%, and the cumulative follow-up was 243.5 patient-years (pty). The anticoagulation-related event rate was 2.9% pty, and the mean INR value of 643 out-patient samples was 1.87 +/- 0.68. Post-operative heart function NYHA classification: 52 cases in class I to II, and 7 cases in class III.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TVR should be indicated for severely damaged and deformed tricuspid valve of rheumatic heart diseases. Bileaflet mechanical valve is a suitable prosthesis for TVR. The optimal anticoagulation therapy intensity of TVR needs to be investigated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Xi-jun
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Er-yong
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Hong-sheng
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Ying-kang
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ren
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014261:Tricuspid Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin