Valvular heart disease, infected valves and prosthetic heart valves.

The major causes of systemic embolism from valvular heart disease (mitral, aortic and mitral valve prolapse), prosthetic valves (both mechanical and tissue valves) and infected valves (endocarditis) are reviewed from the standpoint of their incidence and complications. Recommendations for therapy with anticoagulants or other antithrombotic therapy are set forth following the guidelines recently provided by the Second American College of Chest Physicians Conference on Antithrombotic Therapy. Adherence to these recommendations can significantly decrease the risk of systemic embolism in patients with these valvular heart problems.