Practical value of echo Doppler evaluation of aortic and mitral stenosis: a comparative study with cardiac catheterization

This retrospective analysis compares data derived by echocardiography and cardiac catheterization in the evaluation of aortic and mitral valve stenosis. Sixty-seven patients, aged 69 +/- 12 years, underwent 76 catheterization procedures. In all studies the Doppler recording was technically adequate. In 64 studies of patients with aortic stenosis, correlation was good between the gradient obtained at catheterization (peak 51 +/- 28 mm Hg, mean 48 +/- 24 mm Hg) and the Doppler gradient (peak 73 +/- 29 mm Hg, mean 41 +/- 17 mm Hg) (R = 0.78 peak, 0.77 mean). In 15 studies the aortic valve area, 0.8 +/- 0.2 cm2, calculated by the simplified continuity equation, correlated well with the catheterization valve area, 0.7 +/- 0.3 cm2, calculated by the Gorlin equation (R = 0.80). In 14 studies in mitral stenosis patients, the mean gradient at catheterization was 11 +/- 5 mm Hg compared to the Doppler gradient of 8 +/- 4 mm Hg (R = 0.58). The mitral valve area was 1.1 +/- 0.3 cm2 by the Gorlin equation and 1.2 +/- 0.3 cm2 by echo Doppler, using pressure half-time. When cardiac rhythm, the presence and severity of regurgitation, and the cardiac index were analyzed, none was shown to have demonstrable influence on the accuracy of the Doppler study. Doppler echocardiography can be used reliably to assess valvular stenosis in a clinical, noninvasive laboratory where routine tests are performed and interpreted by more than one individual.     

Systemic thrombolysis in acute obstruction of an artificial valve

Prosthetic valve thrombosis is a characteristic, but fortunately not frequent complication of surgical valve replacement. Its occurrence may lead to haemodynamic catastrophe. Three cases involving prosthetic valve thrombosis are presented. Two patients suffered from thrombosis after tricuspid valve replacement (St. Jude Medical), while the third occurred after mitral valve replacement (Sorin). In the acute phase, systemic thrombolysis was initiated (2 MU Streptokinase during 22-28 hours). The obstruction of one of the tricuspid valves and the mitral valve was eliminated. Lysis of the other tricuspid valve was not complete, but it helped the patient to survive the acute phase until reoperation. Embolization occurred in the inferior extremity after thrombolysis of the mitral prosthetic valve, but it was cured. Two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography (conventional and colour-coded) played an important role in the diagnosis of the obstruction and in the follow-up of the effectivity of thrombolysis. Systemic thrombolysis may be a lifesaving procedure in acute prosthetic valve thrombosis. In spite of the potentially dangerous complications, it has to be attempted.     

Evaluation by Doppler echocardiography of hemodynamic profil of mitral bileaflet prothesis. Report on 90 cases

From 1981 to 1999 Mitral bileaflet prosthesis was implanted to 90 patients. Doppler echocardiography was performed for these patients between January and March 2002 with a mean deadline of 111 months after the intervention. 36 were women (40%) and 54 were men (60%) the mean age was 41 years (20 - 70 years) The mitral bileaflet prosthesis was a Saint Jude in 65 cases, Jyros 8 cases, Carbomédics 7 cases, Sorin Bicarbon 7 cases, Edwards Duromédics 2 cases et an ON-X in one case. The maximal transprosthetic gradient was 15.7 mm Hg +/- 5.06 (6.25 mm Hg). The mean transprosthetic gradient was 5.6 mm Hg +/- 1.07 (39.5 mmHg). The mean prosthesis functional area 2.37 cm2 +/- 0.44 (1.75 cm2 et 3.60 cm2). Maximal gradient, mean gradient and prosthesis functional area are independent from kind mitral bileaflet prosthesis and from the prosthesis size.     

Value of Doppler echocardiography in the indications for correction of tricuspid valve insufficiency in the course of mitral valve implantation

To assess the postoperative reversibility of functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) and its relation to preoperative pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) 103 patients were studied by Doppler echocardiography (DE) in whom at the time of mitral valve replacement the correction of the FTR was not considered to be necessary by the surgeon. Moderate or severe FTR was found in 36% of patients preoperatively, and it diminished or disappeared early after operation if the preoperative PASP was more than 60 mmHg, while the improvement of FTR was found only in the half of patients with PASP less than 60 mmHg. Persistent FTR was still unchanged in 7 of 10 patients at 1 year follow-up. It is concluded that DE should be performed prior to mitral valve replacement and severe FTR found by DE should be surgically treated even in case of negative surgical findings if the PASP is less than 60 mmHg.     

Hemodynamic characteristics of the EMIKS disk artificial heart valves

Analysis of the intracardiac hemodynamics have been made in 16 patients before and after making prosthetic appliance of the mitral valve EMIKS. The examination of the patients carried out 8.3 +/- 0.4 months after the operation showed that significant improvement of the intracardiac hemodynamics took place in patients with mitral valvular disease after the implantation of the EMIKS valves. With the cardiac output of 5.62 +/- 0.121/min the diastolic gradient with the EMIKS valves is 3.33 +/- 0.31 mm of M.C. and the effective opening area is 2.62 +/- 0.08 cm2.     

Experience with surgical treatment of prosthetic valve endocarditis

Prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) is a rare but dangerous complication that may occur after the implantation. The authors retrospectively summarize their 11-year experience in treating PVE. 2357 prosthetic valve (PV) implantations were performed over 11 years at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Semmelweis University, Budapest, PVE was found to be the indication for operation in 1.8% of the cases (43/2357). 43 surgical interventions were carried out on 38 patients (mean age: 52.5 yrs, male/female ratio: 25/13). Blood cultures were positive in 86% and negative in 14% of the cases. The infected PV-s were replaced emergently (14%), urgently (79%) or electively (7%). The explanted valves were aortic in 55% and mitral 45% of the cases, 63% were mechanical and 37% biological. PVE followed the primary PV implantation in less than a year in 39.5%. Infected environment during the primary PV implantation was found to be a predisposing factor for the late endocarditis episodes. The mean age of the infected and explanted aortic bioprosthetic valves was significantly higher than that of explanted mechanical valves (p < 0.05). No such difference could be found at the mitral valves. The explanted valves were replaced by mechanical (75.5%) or biological (22.5%) devices. Homograft was implanted once. Early postoperative mortality of the primary PV replacements was 10.5%) devices. Homograft was implanted once. Early postoperative mortality of the primary PV replacements was 10.5%. Endocarditis reoccurred in 20% of the cases. Means follow-up duration was 45.5 months. Two-, five- an 10-year survival were 75%, 64% and 51% respectively. In conclusion in the surgical treatment of PVE, bioprosthetic and mechanical valves are suitable alternatives as opposed to homografts and freestyle stentless valves.     

Tissue Doppler echocardiography: a new technique to assess diastolic function

Diastolic dysfunction and elevated filling pressure have important role in heart failure. Traditional Doppler echocardiography (DE) however is of limited value in the measurement of these variables. The objective of this study was the evaluation of a new technique, the pulsed tissue Doppler echocardiography of the lateral mitral anulus (PTDI) in diastolic function. 96 consecutive patients were included into the study who were in sinus rhythm, mitral valve disease was excluded and ejection fraction was either > or = 50% (50 patients) or < or = 40% (46 patients). DE technique was used to measure mitral E, A velocity, deceleration time (DT). Myocardial early diastolic (Ea), late diastolic (Aa) velocities were measured at the lateral mitral anulus by PTDI, and E/A, Ea/Aa, E/Ea ratios were calculated. Based on accepted DE criteria of diastolic dysfunction there were 19 normal subjects, 18 patients had abnormal relaxation, 8 had pseudonormalization pattern and 12 had restrictive dysfunction, the rest of patients did not fulfill these criteria. RESULTS: PDTI indicated an association of diastolic dysfunction to systolic dysfunction, which could not be shown by DE. Myocardial Ea velocity was age-dependent only in patients with good systolic function, and it was less than 15 cm/s in all types of diastolic dysfunction. E/Ea ratio over 8 indicated elevated filling pressure, but it was related to E/A ratio only in cases of good systolic function. Importantly one third of cases could be classified into diastolic dysfunction patterns only using tissue Doppler. CONCLUSIONS: Myocardial diastolic velocities can be easily measured by pulsed tissue Doppler technique at the lateral mitral anulus. Decreased early diastolic tissue velocity indicates diastolic dysfunction independently of its type, and it is generally associated to systolic dysfunction, independently of age. Pseudonormalization is defined as the combination of normal mitral inflow and decreased tissue diastolic velocity.     

275例主动脉瓣置换术应用连续缝合法的临床观察

目的探讨主动脉瓣置换中连续缝合方法的应用。方法275例病人主动脉瓣置换采用2/0Prolene线连续缝合法,用3根线265例、1根线10例。同期行二尖瓣置换232例,三尖瓣置换5例,三尖瓣成形112例,升主动脉置换9例,左房血栓清除术32例。结果全组均置入人工机械瓣膜,1例体外循环中发生抑肽酶过敏,需用阿拉明和大剂量激素;1例发生鱼精蛋白过敏再次转流,其他病例手术顺利。无1例住院死亡和严重并发症发生。结论采用连续缝合方法可简化手术操作,减少心肌缺血和转流时间,有利于心肌保护并减少术后并发症。     

The incidence of endocarditis caused by a prosthetic valve and its risk factors

To study the incidence and risk factors of prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) we followed 99.5% of 912 patients who had valve replacement from January 1, 1981 through December 31, 1985, for 1 to 6 (mean 3) years. PVE occurred in 27 patients (2.96% or 0.98% per patient-year). The incidence of PVE in the aortic position (3.9%) was significantly higher than in the mitral position (1.5%): p less than 0.25. PVE developed in 19 out of 329 patients with bioprostheses (5.8%) and in 8 out of 583 patients with mechanical valves (1.4%): p less than 0.005. Actuarially at 5 years follow-up 90.7% of the bioprosthetic group and 98.4% of the mechanical valve group was free of PVE (p less than 0.01). Bioprosthetic valve replacement in infective endocarditis further increased the risk of PVE compared to valve replacement by mechanical prostheses. In conclusion: in order of importance antecedent endocarditis, bioprostheses, male sex and aortic position are risk factors in the development of PVE. In patients requiring operation for infective endocarditis, mechanical valves are recommended. As the outcome of PVE is still very grave, authors stress the importance of prophylaxis, early diagnosis and timely operation.     

心脏人工瓣膜术后真菌性心内膜炎2例报告及治疗策略文献综述

目的探讨心脏人工瓣膜置换术后真菌性心内膜炎的治疗策略。方法对2例心脏人工瓣膜术后并发严重真菌感染病例进行回顾性分析,并进行相关文献复习。结果 2例患者术后并发真菌性心内膜炎,均影响瓣膜功能,术后均反复住院,病例一,心脏术后45 d出现发热,返院复诊,予以急诊在体外循环下行再次二尖瓣置换术,术后赘生物培养为黄曲霉菌;病例二,心脏术后5个月在体外循环下行主动脉壁赘生物清除,术后赘生物病理提示毛霉菌。2例患者均及时手术清除感染灶并进行规范抗真菌治疗,曲霉菌感染患者抢救无效,毛霉菌感染患者治愈,后者抗真菌治疗强度更大。结论心脏人工瓣膜置换术后并发真菌性心内膜炎,预防是关键,治疗要及时、有效,抗真菌药物必须足量、足疗程。     

Surgical treatment of mitral insufficiency using annuloplasty suture technic

In 1991 a simple and cheap technique was introduced for mitral valve repair at our department. After repairing the mitral leaflets, where indicated a posterior leaflet annuloplasty was performed with a semicircular suture and the annulus fixed for the appropriate size by tying the stitch. Between July 1991 and December 1995 86 patients underwent the above procedure (average age 56.8 +/- 10.4 years). 45 patients had primary mitral valve disease (myxomatous degeneration, rheumatoid disease, endocarditis), the other 41 had functional mitral regurgitation secondary to severe aortic valve or coronary artery disease. Echocardiography showed severe mitral regurgitation in 77% of the patients. In 45 cases the mitral valve itself was also repaired (valvotomy, quadrangular resection, wedge resection, etc.) in 29 cases the aortic valve was replaced as well, while 24 patients required additional revascularisation of the myocardium. The 30 day mortality was 3.5%. One week after surgery echocardiography was performed at all patients and showed acceptable mitral valve area (2.28 +/- 0.39 cm2). In 28 cases mild mitral regurgitation was found, the other valves were competent. All but 3 patients were followed up (96.4%). There were 6 late deaths (3 cardiac, 2 non cardiac, 1 embolic, 7.2% late mortality). During the follow up period (31.7 +/- 11.2 months) 5 patients required mitral valve replacement for severe recurrent mitral regurgitation (6.0%). In two cases new chorda rupture caused the recurrence, in an other case the suture had torn out of the annulus due to inadequate surgical technique. In the last two cases the annulus had dilated with intact Prolene annuloplasty stitch present, 86.8% of the survivors were in NYHA class I. or II. Our results suggest that mitral valve repair in selected cases can be performed without using expensive annuloplasty rings. The suture used for annuloplasty should be strong, non absorbable and non stretchable. Since 1994, when we started using GoreTex suture instead of Prolene no more patients required reoperation for annuloplasty failure.     

Two years experience with the Pericarbon stentless valve in Hungary

OBJECTIVE: In 1999 stentless heart valves were introduced for treatment of the aortic valve disease in elderly patients at the Department of Cardiac Surgery of the University of Debrecen. PATIENTS, METHODS: Between December 1999 and November 2001 63 patients underwent aortic valve replacement with Sorin Pericarbon stentless valve. The mean gradient was 80 +/- 11 mmHg, the left ventricular wall thickness was 15.5 +/- 0.7 mm and the ejection fraction was 54 +/- 8% preoperatively. 4 patients were in NYHA II, 47 in NYHA III and 12 in NYHA IV functional class. 42 patients had isolated aortic valve replacement, the remaining 21 patients underwent combined surgical procedure. The aortic x-clamp and perfusion times were 125 +/- 27 and 153 +/- 48 minutes respectively. Nine 21 mm, twenty-three 23 mm, seventeen 25 mm, twelve 27 mm and two 29 mm valves were implanted. RESULTS: The hospital mortality was 6% (four patients). Transient atrial fibrillation was the most frequent postoperative complication. 77% of the patients had uneventful recovery and left hospital one week after surgery. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed at all patients before discharge and in December 2001. The mean follow up time was 9.7 +/- 5.8 months. 86% of the patients were in NYHA I functional class at the time of the follow up. The mean and peak transvalvular gradients were 9.4 +/- 4.1 mmHg and 16.1 +/- 6.8 mmHg respectively. The left ventricular wall thickness has decreased significantly (12.5 +/- 1.1 mm). CONCLUSION: The Sorin Pericarbon stentless valve is an easily implantable valve replacement device. Due to the excellent hemodynamic properties and the unnecessary anticoagulation it could be safely used in elderly patients.     

胎儿心内膜垫缺损的产前超声诊断

目的:探讨胎儿期心内膜垫缺损的超声声像图特征及诊断的临床意义。方法:回顾性分析10例诊断为心内膜垫缺损的胎儿超声声像图特点,并与产前诊断中心的超声心动报告或引产后病理相比较。首先确定胎儿心脏的位置,二维图像显示四腔心、三血管、左右室流出道、心底短轴、主动脉弓、动脉导管弓切面,重点观察四腔心切面房间隔(原发隔)、室间隔的连续性,二尖瓣、三尖瓣的形态及瓣叶数目,可加用彩色多普勒血流显像观察房室瓣的血流情况。结果:①产前共诊断10例胎儿心内膜垫缺损,其中完全型8例,部分型2例。②单一心内膜垫缺损2例,合并其他心脏畸形4例,合并心外畸形6例。③10例病例中8例引产,1例失访,1例继续妊娠。结论:产前超声心动图能较准确的诊断胎儿心内膜垫缺损。四腔心切面是诊断该病的主要切面,彩色多普勒血流显像可进一步明确诊断。     

Stolen heart valves?

A patient having had both aortic and mitral valves replaced complained of triggering shop security alarms, attributing the problem to the prosthetic valves. It was demonstrated that the valves were not the cause of the problem and the source identified.     

超声心动图在感染性心内膜炎赘生物及其他并发症中的诊断价值

目的 探讨超声心动图在感染性心内膜炎赘生物及其他并发症中的诊断价值,为临床有效诊断提供依据.方法 研究选取医院在2008年7月-2011年10月住院治疗的感染性心内膜炎患者76例,所有入组患者均行超声心动图、手术及病理检查,将检查结果进行统计分析.结果 76例患者行急诊手术4例占5.26％,择期手术72例占94.74％,手术成功74例占97.37％,死亡2例占2.63％;76例患者超声心动图检查发现赘生物35例,阳性率77.77％,赘生物＜2mm有1例、2～15 mm有31例、＞15 mm有3例;发现1个赘生物12例(其中4例为假阳性)、2个20例、≥3个3例;超声心动图检查受累瓣膜阳性率82.98％,其中二尖瓣受累26例、主动脉瓣受累23例、二尖瓣及主动脉同时受累9例、其他瓣膜受累3例,瓣周漏及脓肿各2例,瓣膜脱垂11例(其中2例为假阳性),瓣膜穿孔2例.结论 超声心动图能对心脏赘生物进行准确定位,并能确定其大小、形态、数目及伴随的心脏情况,还能提供感染性心内膜炎有无心脏基础病变、并发症及相应的血流动力学改变等可靠的诊断依据,为临床提供详实的资料.     

心脏内畸形合并感染性心瓣膜炎的外科治疗

目的探讨心脏内畸形合并感染性心瓣膜炎的诊断及外科治疗特点。方法回顾1997年2月-2003年2月10例心脏内畸形合并感染性心瓣膜炎患者的临床资料，其中室间隔缺损4例，主动脉窦瘤破裂2例，右室流出道狭窄1例，二尖瓣关闭不全1例，主动脉瓣二叶瓣畸形2例。感染的心脏瓣膜分别为主动脉瓣4例。三尖瓣4例，肺动脉瓣1例，二尖瓣1例。合并瓣膜赘生物9例次，合并瓣膜穿孔4例次，均行外科手术治疗，清除赘生物及修复穿孔，同时行室间隔缺损修补术、主动脉瓣置换术、二尖瓣置换术、右室流出道加宽补片术1例。结果患者术后7-14d体温及白细胞计数降至正常，应用抗生素28d后痊愈出院，全组无死亡病例。结论心脏内畸形患者并发感染性心瓣膜炎，如发现瓣膜赘生物形成或瓣膜穿孔，应视病情立刻手术或抗感染治疗后手术，术后根据血细菌培养或瓣膜赘生物培养情况应用抗生索28d，预防人工瓣膜及补片再度感染。     

超声斑点追踪及成像技术评价主动脉瓣反流患者左室扭转运动

内容:目的:本研究旨在应用二维斑点追踪及成像技术评价主动脉瓣反流(AR)患者左室二维应变及扭转运动,以期探讨其左室功能改变.方法:95例经二维超声心动图诊断为单纯性AR患者,按照反流程度分为轻、中、重度组.30例健康志愿者.行常规二维超声心动图并二维斑点追踪成像检查,采集左室心尖四腔及短轴各节段动态图像,应用EchoPAC工作站软件行脱机分析.比较不同程度AR患者和健康志愿者左室功能改变.结果:①各组间年龄、性别、身高、体重、体表面积和心率的差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05).②轻度AR组与正常对照组比较舒张末期左室内径、收缩末期左室内径、舒张末期左室容积、收缩末期左室容积、左室射血分数、二尖瓣口舒张期E峰、A峰及E/A比值差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05).中度AR组及重度AR组与正常对照组相比,舒张末期左室内径、舒张末期左室容积增大(P<0.05).中度AR组与对照组相比左室射血分数、二尖瓣口舒张期E、A峰及E/A比值的差异均无明显统计学意义(P>0.05).重度AR组左室射血分数与对照组相比有显著差异(P<0.05),但二尖瓣口舒张期E、A峰及E/A比值的差异则无明显统计学意义(P>0.05).③轻度AR组心底、心尖部旋转及扭转曲线与正常对照组差异无明显统计学意义(P>0.05).中度AR组心底、心尖部旋转及扭转角度较正常对照组明显增大(P<0.05).而重度AR组心底、心尖部旋转及扭转角度则较正常对照组明显减小(P<0.05).     

动态误差分析系统与脉搏波速度测定系统的关系

目的：检测颈-股动脉脉搏波速度（CF—PWV）与脉压差（PP）之间的关系,证实动态误差分析系统对脉搏波速度测定系统结果的准确性有影响。方法：检测486例原发性高血压患者。用脉搏波速度测定仪将受检人群在检测时的动态误差分别设置为15％〉误差〉119％,10％〉误差〉5％,5％〉误差．3种误差状态下分2组重复测量颈动脉-股动脉（CF—PWV）。检测颈动脉-股动脉脉搏波速度（CF—PWV）,同时应用台式血压计进行血压测定,算出脉压差（PP）。结果：脉压（PP）≥60mmHg（7．98kPa）者的脉搏波速度CF—PWV显著高于脉压〈60mmHg者[（14．2±2．34）m／s和（8．5±1．81）m／s,P〈0．001]。脉搏波速度（CF—PWV）与脉压（PP）和年龄显著正相关（脉压r=0．529,P=0．000;年龄r=0．331,P=0．003）。结果显示,动态误差在10％〉误差〉5％,5％〉误差2种状态下各组人群的各节段PWV值无显著差异;而动态误差在15％〉误差〉10％时,与动态误差5％组比较。各节段PWV值的差异显示出统计学意义。结论：动态误差分析系统对PWV检测结果会有不同影响,选择误差较小的检测模式有利于提高检测结果的准确性．脉压差（PP）与脉搏波速度（CF—PWV）密切相关,动脉脉搏波速度（CF—PWV）作为一项新的评价动脉硬度的指标,更加科学、准确、方便。     

成年人小主动脉瓣环者机械瓣膜置换术后远期疗效

目的 探讨成年人小主动脉瓣环者机械瓣膜置换术后的远期疗效,以指导临床实践.方法 2003年7月至2005年2月对36例小主动脉瓣环(直径≤19mm)的成年患者行人工机械瓣膜置换术.分别采用改良Manougnian法瓣环扩大后植入23 mm CarboMedics机械瓣膜14例(CM组);瓣环上主动脉瓣置换法直接植入19 mm CarboMedics Top Hat Supra-Annular Aortic机械瓣膜22例(CMSA组),于术前和术后6年评价两组患者的心功能,超声心动图检测左心室舒张末内径(LVDD)、室间隔厚度(IVST)、左心室后壁厚度(LVPWT)、收缩期主动脉瓣平均跨瓣压差(PGav)、左心室短轴缩短率(LVFS),计算左心室射血分数.并抽取20例健康成年人的超声心动图数据作为对照组,对三组资料进行对比分析.结果 术后6年与术前比较,除CMSA组的IVST[(10.37±2.06)mm比(11.03±2.45)mm]和LVPWT[(10.53±2.18)mm比(11.24±3.09)mm]差异无统计学意义外,CMSA组的心功能分级、LVDD、PGav、LVEF、LVFS和CM组的全部检测指标均较术前有不同程度改·善(P＜ 0.01或＜0.05).术后6年CM组的PGav较CMSA组下降更明显[(9.24±5.93)mm Hg(1mmHg=0.133 kPa)比(24.30±12.50)mmHg],差异有统计学意义(P＜ 0.05);CM组术后6年各项指标与对照组比较差异无统计学意义,而CMSA组的IVST、LVPWT、PGav与对照组比较差异仍有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 成年人小主动脉瓣环者机械瓣膜置换术后远期左心室功能多恢复良好,但行瓣环扩大术应植入较大内径的瓣膜,将有利于左心室形态的逆转.     

Pregnancy and the mechanical prosthetic valve: dilemmas about the choice of antithrombotic prophylaxis

Two pregnant women aged 32 and 34, both of whom had mechanical prosthetic mitral valves, for which they were using low molecular weight heparin. One developed orthopnoea and dyspnoea at 36 weeks amenorrhoea, and the other suffered an acute myocardial infarction at 18 weeks. Both had valvular thrombosis. Following effective treatment, both women delivered at term and one week later after an uncomplicated course, were discharged home from hospital. Clinicians caring for pregnantwomen with mechanical prosthetic valves are faced with a dilemma when trying to provide optimal treatment. Inadequate anticoagulant therapy can result in thrombosis of the mechanical prosthetic valve while, on the other hand, anticoagulant therapy is associated with foetal and maternal bleeding and teratogenic effects. Pregnant women with mechanical prosthetic valves should be thoroughly counselled before or shortly after the confirmation of pregnancy regarding the risks associated with available anticoagulant options, allowing them to make an informed decision concerning the best management plan. This is an algorithm for optimal care of these patients.