Patient knowledge of and adherence to oral anticoagulation therapy after mechanical heart-valve replacement for congenital or acquired valve defects.
OBJECTIVE
This study sought to determine (1) the level of knowledge that mechanical heart-valve patients (because of congenital heart disease or acquired heart-valve defects) have about oral anticoagulation therapy; and (2) to what extent these patients adhere to this therapy.


METHODS
This descriptive, cross-sectional study included 57 patients. Knowledge was measured using the Knowledge of Oral Anticoagulation Tool. Adherence was assessed with a visual analogue scale and the Swiss HIV Cohort Study Adherence Questionnaire.


RESULTS
Patients poorly understood symptoms relevant to over-anticoagulation and the effects of alcohol and vitamins on oral anticoagulants. The knowledge level of patients with congenital heart disease and acquired heart-valve defects did not differ significantly. Three-quarters of patients claimed to be 100% adherent to oral anticoagulant therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Most patients lack knowledge about oral anticoagulants, and one fourth of patients do not fully adhere to therapy.
Van Damme
Sara
S
Division of Congenital and Structural Cardiology, University Hospitals of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Van Deyk
Kristien
K
Budts
Werner
W
Verhamme
Peter
P
Moons
Philip
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001530:Belgium; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000451:nursing / Q000601:surgery*; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D019934:International Normalized Ratio; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult; D016903:Drug Monitoring
D000925:Anticoagulants