Mechanical Valves In Poorly Anticoagulated South African Community

[Arlyss]

I was interested in the mention of those with mechanical valves who were not compliant with anticoagulation therapy in South Africa. A search of Pub Med found the following papers had been published regarding this.

This one by Williams, Crause, and Van Riet is from 2004 and discussed Carbomedics, Medtronic Hall, and ON-X.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/e...ez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

In 2006, Williams and Van Riet published again, with this paper discussing ON-X only

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/e...med.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlus

Generally I turn directly to the medical literature whenever possible. It is a great help that at least the abstracts and sometimes full articles are feely available through Pub Med.

Just as an aside, it takes significant time to publish a peer-reviewed paper in a medical journal - that is important in order to maintain standards for publication. It also can mean that physicians actual clinical experience and knowledge are ahead of what the literature reflects, until it catches up with what is currently happening. That can explain why at times physicians may take positions or make statements that are not yet reflected in the literature. Eventually the published information catches up.

Best wishes,
Arlyss

 

[Lynlw]

Thanks the first one was pretty interesting. Lyn