Management of Intracranial Hemorrhage in the Setting of Mechanical Heart Valve Replacement Therapy

Abstract

The management of an intracranial hemorrhage in patients receiving anticoagulant therapy presents a significant challenge for medical professionals. Anticoagulant treatment is intended to prevent blood clotting, but it can worsen active brain bleeds. Despite this risk, avoiding the prothrombotic state caused by mechanical heart valves remains crucial. Guidelines on managing this issue are currently lacking, prompting a review that delves into embryonic development and anatomical functions of heart valves, valve replacement therapy for diseased valves, and the need for anticoagulants. Ultimately, recent literature and cases inform discussion regarding how best to manage intracranial hemorrhages in patients with mechanical heart valves. The expectation is that this examination will offer valuable perspectives on the handling of intracranial bleeding among individuals with mechanical heart valves and stimulate additional investigations in this intricate domain, particularly through the lens of applied mechanics.