American Society of Hirudotherapy

Impact of an oral anticoagulation self-monitoring and self-management program in patients with mechanical heart valve prosthesis.

Research article published in Journal of comparative effectiveness research (2021)

Last Updated: June 18, 2026Reviewed by: ASH Editorial Board
Research article — evidence reviewArticle reference
Evidence: Research reportDrug DevelopmentBlanch et al. · Journal of comparative effectiveness research, 2021

Abstract

Objective: To analyze impact of implementation of an oral anticoagulation self-monitoring and self-management program among patients with mechanical valve prosthesis. Materials & methods: Observational and retrospective study performed in Hospital Moises Broggi, Barcelona, Spain. The program started on June 2019. The study compared 6-month period before and after the implementation of the program. Results: The study included 44 patients. There was a numerical increase of time in therapeutic range from 53.6 ± 21.3% to 57.1 ± 15.7% (p = 0.30). Proportion of patients with international normalized ratio (INR) >5 significantly decreased from 3.9 to 2.0% (p = 0.04). No significant differences were observed in thromboembolic or bleeding complications. Visits to emergency department decreased from (29.5 to 22.7%; p = 0.41). Conclusion: Oral anticoagulation self-monitoring and self-management program seems an appropriate approach that could provide additional benefits in selected patients with mechanical valve prosthesis.

Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.

Publication typeJournal Article
Indexed MeSH termsAdministration, OralAnticoagulantsHeart Valve ProsthesisHeart Valve Prosthesis ImplantationHemorrhageHumansRetrospective StudiesSelf-ManagementSpain

Summary

To analyze impact of implementation of an oral anticoagulation self-monitoring and self-management program among patients with mechanical valve prosthesis.Observational and retrospective study performed in Hospital Moises Broggi, Barcelona, Spain. The program started on June 2019.

Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy

This retrospective observational study analyzed the impact of implementing an oral anticoagulation self-monitoring and self-management program for patients with mechanical heart valve prostheses. For the American Society of Hirudotherapy, this research is conceptually relevant because it examines the delicate clinical management of systemic anticoagulation to prevent thrombosis without causing hemorrhage. The physiological trade-offs evaluated in this study mirror the localized anticoagulant effects achieved by leech secretome components like hirudin, though applied systemically. However, the scope of this study is strictly focused on evaluating patient self-management of vitamin K antagonists. The abstract contains no mention of leeches, hirudotherapy, or the leech secretome, making its connection to the field purely thematic.

Citation

Impact of an oral anticoagulation self-monitoring and self-management program in patients with mechanical heart valve prosthesis.

Blanch et al. · Journal of comparative effectiveness research, 2021

DOI

Added to ASH library: May 28, 2026 · Site last updated: June 18, 2026

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