Failure of Low Molecular-Weight Heparin in the Prevention of Prosthetic Mitral Valve Thrombosis during Pregnancy: Case Report and a Review of Options for Anticoagulation
Balakrishnan Mahesh FRCS, Stephen Evans FRCP, Alan J. Bryan FRCS

Pregnant patients with mechanical heart valves need to be adequately anticoagulated in order to prevent thromboembolic complications related to their hypercoagulable state. This must be balanced against the risk of bleeding. Currently available methods of anticoagulation each have their own merits and demerits. A case is presented of a pregnant patient who had prosthetic valve thrombosis while receiving low molecular-weight heparin therapy.