[Late thrombo-embolic complications after heart valve prosthesis]

A follow-up study of 444 patients with artificial heart valves of different makes demonstrated increased wear and thrombogenic properties of the hemispheric MKC-27 prosthesis, used in mitral position, over 5 years of follow-up. High risk of thrombo-embolic complications is related to interrupted anticoagulant treatment. Their rate could be reduced through improving the quality of anticoagulant treatment, i.e. continuous administration of anticoagulants under adequate monitoring.