Discontinuing anticoagulant therapy in surgical patients with cardiac valve prostheses. Observations in 180 operations

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Abstract
Between 1962-1975, a total of 159 patients with previously implanted man-made cardiac valve prostheses underwent 180 subsequent noncardiac operations at Mayo Clinic [Rochester, Minnesota, USA]. All patients were receiving anticoagulants. Overall incidence of their documentable thromboembolic complications was approximately 10%. None of the postoperative complications occurred while the patient was in hospital, with the earliest such complication seen 2 yr later. Patients receiving anticoagulants on a long-term basis had a 13% incidence of various difficulities with hemostasis during and following later operations. Apparently, there is minimal risk to patients with cardiac valve prostheses who are receiving anticoagulants when the drug regimen is stopped for 1-3 days preoperatively and 1-7 days postoperatively.

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