Heart valve replacement; anticoagulation and pregnancy

• Published in: West African journal of medicine Vol. 21; no. 2; pp. 163 - 165
• Main Author: Frimpong-Boateng, K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Nigeria 01.04.2002
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Anticoagulants - therapeutic use; Aortic Valve Insufficiency - blood; Aortic Valve Insufficiency - complications; Aortic Valve Insufficiency - diagnosis; Aortic Valve Insufficiency - surgery; Cesarean Section; Drug Monitoring - methods; Fatal Outcome; Female; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation - adverse effects; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation - methods; Humans; International Normalized Ratio; Mitral Valve Insufficiency - blood; Mitral Valve Insufficiency - complications; Mitral Valve Insufficiency - diagnosis; Mitral Valve Insufficiency - surgery; Mitral Valve Stenosis - blood; Mitral Valve Stenosis - diagnosis; Mitral Valve Stenosis - surgery; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular - blood; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular - diagnosis; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular - surgery; Pregnancy Outcome; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency - blood; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency - complications; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency - diagnosis; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency - surgery; Warfarin - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 0189-160X

Three patients who had heart valve replacement surgery and were on anticoagulation therapy with warfarin presented with pregnancy, one patient in the first trimester and the other two patients in the second trimester All three patients were in good and stable haemodynamic condition and went through pregnancy without any Complications. Delivery in all three patients were by caesarian section. The management of these patient during pregnancy and delivery form the basis of this report. A scheme for anticoagulation therapy during pregnancy, delivery and the post-delivery period of such patients has also been presented.