[Anticoagulation therapy in patients with valvular prostheses].

Thromboembolism and haemorrhage are the most frequent complication in patients after valvular prostheses or provision of a mechanical replacement. Optimal anticoagulant treatment reflects efforts to reduce these main two complications to a minimum. The author summarizes contemporary recommendations for anticoagulant treatment of these patients under standard conditions and therapeutic procedures in complications such as surgery, pregnancy and embolism into the CNS.