Table 1.

RIWA study inclusion criteria

Age 18–74 years at entry

Patients with MHV in mitral and/or aortic position, for at least 3 months postoperatively

Brain CT scan without hemorrhage or findings of acute cerebral infarction on the last 2 days of screening

Exclusion of atrial thrombus or valve prosthesis thrombosis by TEE on the last 2 days of screening

Written, informed consent

CT computed tomography, MHV mechanical heart valves, TEE transesophageal echocardiogram