Optimal anticoagulation for mechanical heart valves Optimal anticoagulation for mechanical heart valves Reference Cannegieter SC, Rosendaal FR, Wintzr AR, Van der Meer FJM, Vandenbroucke JP, Briet E. Optimal oral anticoagulation therapy in patient with mechanical heart valves. Background Patients with mechanical heart valves require lifelong, high-intensity oral anticoagulation to prevent thromboembolic complications.
Anticoagulation is however, associated with an increased risk of bleeding complications.
Previous studies have failed to provide a comprehensive analysis of the optimal intensity of anticoagulation and the frequency of adverse events. Population studied Patients with mechanical prosthetic heart valves were recruited from four regional anticoagulation clinics in the Netherlands from January 1985 to May 1991. Specific inclusion criteria and other risk factors were not addressed. Thus, the generalizability of this study is uncertain. Patients were excluded upon discontinuation of therapy, geographic relocation, or death.