Cohort survey of heart valve replacement patients: does the valve card scheme have room for improvement?

摘要

Patients undergoing heart valve replacement have a high risk of experiencing valve related adverse events such as acute failure of the valve mechanism, valve thrombosis, and peripheral emboli. Immediate availability of information about valves for any valve patient presenting at outpatient clinics, general practitioner surgeries, or acutely at accident and emergency departments may lead to early suspicion and diagnosis of specific complications known to be associated with particular heart valves. Postoperative surveillance is therefore crucial.