Preventing thromboembolism in patients with prosthetic heart valves.

Despite improvements in valve design, thromboembolic complications remain an important complication in patients with heart valve replacement. Less intense anticoagulant regimens with or without concomitant antiplatelet therapy have been shown to be effective and safe in such patients. The recommended intensity of oral anticoagulants for tissue valves is an INR of 2.0 to 3.0 and 2.5 to 3.5 for mechanical valves.