Low-molecular-weight heparin for prosthetic heart valves: treatment failure

Ann Thorac Surg. 2000 Jan;69(1):264-5; discussion 265-6. doi: 10.1016/s0003-4975(99)00874-7.

Abstract

There is no adequate substitute therapy for patients with prosthetic heart valves, in whom anticoagulation with warfarin or unfractionated heparin must be withheld. In the literature there are several reports describing successful treatment with low-molecular-weight heparin in patients with prosthetic heart valves. We report two cases of low-molecular-weight heparin treatment failure resulting in thrombosed prosthetic heart valves with stormy clinical presentations, who underwent successful valve replacements.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use*
  • Aortic Valve / surgery
  • Contraindications
  • Echocardiography
  • Enoxaparin / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis*
  • Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mitral Valve / surgery
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / diagnostic imaging
  • Reoperation
  • Thrombosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Thrombosis / etiology
  • Treatment Failure
  • Warfarin / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Enoxaparin
  • Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight
  • Warfarin