title: Prosthetic valve endocarditis: what is the evidence for anticoagulant therapy?
abstract: The use of anticoagulant therapy in prosthetic valve endocarditis is a controversial management issue. Some authorities believe that anticoagulation increases the potential risk of cerebral haemorrhage after a thromboembolism whereas others, however, affirm that cessation of anticoagulation itself increases the risk of thromboembolism and subsequent morbidity and mortality. We reviewed the association of anticoagulant therapy and cerebral complications in patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis. Our results suggest that anticoagulant therapy reduces the risk of thromboembolism and is not associated with increased risk of intracranial haemorrhage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. jwyau@unimelb.edu.au
authors.forename: J W Y
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Yau
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Jenkins
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004696:Endocarditis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants