Management of perioperative anticoagulation in patients with mechanical heart valve replacement undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a case report of postoperative cerebral embolism

TL;DR

This case report discusses the challenges of managing anticoagulation in a patient with a mechanical heart valve who had surgery and later developed a cerebral embolism.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel case report highlighting the risks and management strategies for anticoagulation in patients with mechanical heart valves undergoing surgery.

Findings

A patient with a mechanical heart valve developed postoperative cerebral embolism after laparoscopic cholecystectomy and ERCP.

Perioperative anticoagulation management is critical to balance bleeding and thromboembolic risks in these patients.

Abstract

Patients with mechanical heart valve replacement require lifelong anticoagulation therapy, and additional surgeries can pose a risk of bleeding and thromboembolic events due to the need for perioperative anticoagulation management. Here, we present a case report of a patient who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) after mechanical heart valve replacement and experienced postoperative cerebral embolism. The management of perioperative anticoagulation in these patients is discussed, including strategies for minimizing the risks of bleeding and thromboembolic events during and after surgery.

Figures