[Recurrent thrombosis of a mitral mechanical heart valve prosthesis during puerperium--a case report].

A case of a 27-year-old female with prosthetic mitral valve is presented. Prolonged anticoagulation therapy was continued during pregnancy without complications. During puerperium, the dose of subcutaneous low molecular weight heparin was reduced due to subcutaneous blood effusions. Subsequently, the patient developed acute left ventricular heart failure due to prosthetic valve thrombosis. She underwent urgent surgery with new prosthetic valve implantation. Two weeks later she suffered another episode of acute mitral prosthetic valve thrombosis which was effectively treated with intravenous heparin. Difficulties concerning prolonged anticoagulation during pregnancy and puerperium in patients with prosthetic valves are discussed.