Open AccessLoss of engagement in controlling chronic anticoagulation therapy during Covid-19 stringency measures. A single center experience of disproportioned increase of stuck mechanical valves
Author(s) -
Olga Vriz,
Andrea Rossi Zadra,
Abdalla Eltayeb,
Fatima Asiri,
Claudio Pragliola,
Nader Ashraf Fawzy,
Domenico Galzerano,
Khalid Feras,
Zohair AlHalees,
Abdulhalim Jamal Kinsara,
Fadl Elmula M. Fadl Elmula
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
monaldi archives for chest disease. pulmonary series/monaldi archives for chest disease/monaldi archives for chest disease. cardiac series
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.196
H-Index - 46
eISSN - 2465-101X
pISSN - 1122-0643
DOI - 10.4081/monaldi.2021.2065
Subject(s) - medicine , covid-19 , complication , mechanical valve , warfarin , incidence (geometry) , mechanical heart valve , surgery , mitral valve replacement , cardiology , emergency medicine , heart valve , mitral valve , atrial fibrillation , physics , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , optics
Stuck valve is a very rare and severe complication that occurs in mechanical valve replacement patients with ineffective anticoagulation. However, with COVID-19 restriction measures, it became challenging to regularly assess INR to make sure it falls within the target therapeutic range to prevent this complication. We present a series of 10 patients who either underwent transthoracic echocardiography for a suspected stuck valve or were seen at the outpatient valve clinic with the residual consequences of a stuck valve during the COVID-19 restriction measures in our institute. Stuck prosthetic valves incident has increased significantly during this period, particularly those in the mitral position for which urgent replacement and prolonged hospitalization were necessary. Particularly with the COVID-19 restrictions in place, these cases highlight the need for physicians to be aware of the dramatic increase in the incidence of stuck prosthetic valves in patients on chronic warfarin therapy.