Antithromboembolic treatment after cardiac valve replacement

Antithrombotic medication is effective in the prevention of thromboembolic complications after valve replacement. Therapy with oral anticoagulant (warfarin), platelet inhibitor drugs and long-term warfarin administration an have good clinical results. However, thrombosis may occur in the early postoperative period, when the oral administration of warfarin is impossible. We have evaluated treatment with urokinase, low-dose heparin and dipyridamole, administered intravenously, instead of warfarin, during the early postoperative period. This procedure was carried out in 30 patients, among whom there was no evidence of thrombosis or of such side-effects as bleeding or a marked tendency to bleed.