[Antithrombotic therapy in patients with mechanical valve prostheses]

Mechanical valvular prostheses have the advantage of longevity but carry a risk of thrombosis which is itself dependent on many haemodynamic, haemostatic and parietal factors. Antithrombotic therapy in patients with mechanical valvular prostheses is based on vitamin-K antagonists, the optimal dosage of which should reflect the type and location of the prosthesis and the underlying pathology. The patient with a mechanical valvular prosthesis treated by oral anticoagulation must be fully informed and regularly followed up. Special situations: extracardiac surgery, dental extraction, gastrointestinal endoscopy, require specific, well established management.