What are the anticoagulation recommendations for patients with mitral stenosis?
Anticoagulation is indicated in patients with mitral stenosis and a prior embolic event, even in sinus rhythm (Class I; Level of Evidence B). Anticoagulation is also indicated in patients with mitral stenosis and left atrial thrombus (Class I; Level of Evidence B). Warfarin (target INR, 2.0 3.0) and low-dose aspirin are indicated after aortic valve replacement with bileaflet mechanical or current-generation, single-tilting-disk prostheses in patients with no risk factors* (Class I; Level of Evidence B); warfarin (target INR, 2.5 3.5) and low- dose aspirin are indicated in patients with mechanical aortic valve replacement and risk factors* (Class I; Level of Evidence B); and warfarin (target INR, 2.5 3.5) and low-dose aspirin are indicated after mitral valve replacement with any mechanical valve (Class I; Level of Evidence B).