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Published on: January 7, 2019
[The thrombosis service as a source of information for studies in patients with heart valve prostheses]
P K Chandie Shaw1, J T van der Meer, F J van der Meer
1Academisch Ziekenhuis, Gebouw I. CO-P, Leiden.
Insights
A new study evaluated using anticoagulation service data to track complications in mechanical heart valve patients. This efficient method yielded results comparable to traditional studies for thromboembolism and bleeding.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Informatics
Context:
- Patients with mechanical heart valves require lifelong anticoagulation therapy.
- Anticoagulation intensity monitoring is crucial for managing complications.
- Regional anticoagulation services play a key role in patient management.
Purpose:
- To evaluate a new study design for estimating complication incidence in prosthetic heart valve patients.
- To assess the efficiency and reliability of using regional anticoagulation service data for follow-up.
Summary:
- A two-year follow-up study of 273 mechanical heart valve patients was conducted using the Leiden anticoagulation service's computerized system.
- Incidence rates were 0.9/100 patient-years for thromboembolism, 5.6/100 patient-years for bleeding, and 0.2/100 patient-years for endocarditis.
- Findings were comparable to classical follow-up studies, indicating method suitability for mechanical valves.
Impact:
- The study demonstrates an efficient, non-selective method for investigating and following patients with mechanical heart valves.
- This approach offers an opportunity to gather valuable data without significant patient selection bias.
- The method is not suitable for early postoperative mortality or heterograft follow-up.
Abstract:
A new study design was evaluated for the estimation of the incidence of thromboembolic complications, bleeding complications and endocarditis in patients with prosthetic heart valves. Thromboembolism is a serious complication in patients with artificial heart valves. Consequently lifelong anticoagulation therapy is indicated for such patients. In the Netherlands the intensity of the anticoagulation is monitored by a network of regional anticoagulation services. The computerized patient information system of the Leiden anticoagulation service was used for a two year follow-up study of patients with mechanical heart valves. In these years anticoagulation was monitored in 273 patients with a total follow-up period of 442 patient-years. The incidence figures for thromboembolism, bleeding complications and endocarditis were 0.9/100 patient-years, 5.6/100 patient-years and 0.2/100 patient-years, respectively. The findings are similar to those of classical follow-up studies. This method is not suitable for detection of the direct early postoperative mortality or for follow-up of patient with heterografts. We conclude that the detection and follow-up by means of regional anticoagulation service offers an opportunity to investigate patients with mechanical heart valves in an efficient way without notable selection.
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