[Experience in the management of patients with artificial heart valves (analysis of the material of the Békés County Cardiology Clinic)].

Authors report of 152 patients, 146 of whom underwent single mitral (n = 70), single aortic (n = 64), double aortimitral (n = 17) and aortic-mitral-tricuspid (n = 1) valve replacement with mechanical prostheses. 6 patients received bioprostheses. The mean age was 55 years. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 23 years (mean 5.1 years). The methodology of follow-up consisted patients examination in our office (at least twice a year) and questionnaire. Valve related complications were defined as paravalvular leak (6 cases), valve thrombosis (3 cases), thromboembolism (13 cases), anticoagulant-related hemorrhage (21 cases), infectious endocarditis (6 cases). During care 14 patients died. The most common causes of death were left-ventricle insufficiency (n = 6), infectious endocarditis (n = 3), prosthetic valve thrombosis (n = 1), cerebral hemorrhage (n = 2) and sudden death (n = 2). 138 patients (56 percent) are retired or invalid. Authors emphasize the importance of regular control and the significance of anticoagulant policy (in the target international normalized ratio to 2.5-3.5 and the provision of the antibiotic prophylaxis to avoid the late complications.