Mechanical prosthetic mitral valve thrombosis during dabigatran treatment


Mechanical prosthetic mitral valve thrombosis during dabigatran treatment
Gregoriana Zanini, MD 1; Luca Rodella, MD 2; Marco Triggiani, MD 1;
Francesca Bellandi, MD 1; Giuseppe De Cicco, MD 3; Gian Franco Pasini, MD 1
1 Cardiology Unit, La Memoria Hospital Gavardo, Brescia, Italy
2 Department of Medical-Surgical Specialty, Radiology and Health Care,
Cardiovascular Disease Section, School of Medicine, Spedali Civili Hospital, Brescia, Italy
3 Cardiac Surgery Unit, Spedali Civili Hospital, Brescia, Italy

Abstract

Dabigatran has been approved for prevention of thromboembolic complications in non-valvular atrial fibrillation. We present a case of a mechanical prosthetic mitral valve thrombosis during anticoagulation with dabigatran, switched in the last three months after 10 years treatment with warfarin. The patient presented with acute respiratory failure and decompensated heart failure. She was initially treated with unfractioned heparin and then was sent for emergency surgery for cardiogenic shock. As emerging from contemporary evidence and as recommended by guidelines, dabigatran, as well as the other direct oral anticoagulants, should be avoided in patients with mechanical valve prosthesis. Echocardiography is indicated if dyspnoea develops in such patients.

Key words:  Mechanical prosthetic valves; Atrial fibrillation; Warfarin; Dabigatran; Prosthetic valve hrombosis


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