[Anticoagulation therapy in patients with valve defects].

Thromboembolic episodes are the most frequent complication in patients with valvular defects or valvular prostheses. Introduction of anticoagulant treatment led to a marked drop of these complications, while haemorrhage became a serious problem in their care. When deciding on anticoagulant treatment it is important to evaluate not only the basic disease but also risk factors of thromboembolism in individual patients. The authors emphasize also procedures during operations, pregnancy, embolization or haemorrhage in patients treated with anticoagulants.