Genetic variations of phenprocoumon metabolism in patients with ventricular assist devices.

Objectives: Anticoagulation in patients with ventricular assist device (VAD) support is crucial and to date, no alternative to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) can be safely used. Genetic variances of cytochrome p450 2C9 (CYP2C9) and vitamin K epoxide reductase (VKORC) have been recently connected with variation of VKA maintenance as well as loading doses. In this retrospective study, we assessed the incidence of genetic variations and the influence of different genotypes of CYP2C9 and VKORC1 in VAD patients.

Mechanical heart valve recipients: anticoagulation in patients with genetic variations of phenprocoumon metabolism.

Objectives: Oral anticoagulation in mechanical heart valve recipients remains crucial, and vitamin K antagonists (VKA) are still the gold standard. Polymorphisms of vitamin K epoxide oxidase reductase (VKORC) and cytochrome p450 (CYP2C9) were recently found to influence VKA metabolism. We retrospectively investigated the prevalence of these genotypes and associated anticoagulation-related complications in our patients.