title: Thromboembolism in a patient with a mechanical mitral valve during anticoagulation with dabigatran etexilate.
abstract: Recently, several new anticoagulants have been used instead of warfarin for preventing thromboembolism. In the RE-LY (Randomized Evaluation of Long-Term Anticoagulation Therapy) trial, the direct thrombin inhibitor dabigatran etexilate was as an effective and safe as dose-adjusted warfarin for prevention of stroke in high-risk patients with atrial fibrillation. However, the safety and efficacy of thromboprophylaxis after mechanical valve replacement is uncertain. We report a 57-year-old man with a mechanical heart valve who experienced acute upper limb thromboembolism during dabigatran intake. Dabigatran might be inadequate for thromboprophylaxis after mechanical valve replacement.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Cardiovascular Center, St. Luke's International Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. Electronic address: shinkuwa@luke.or.jp.
authors.forename: Shintaro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kuwauchi
authors.forename: Sunao
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Kohei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.forename: Manabu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamasaki
authors.forename: Joji
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Kohei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kawazoe
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D058833:Antithrombin Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000069604:Dabigatran; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011725:Pyridines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D058833:Antithrombin Proteins; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D011725:Pyridines; D000069604:Dabigatran
keywords: 26