At this time, there are no
warfarin substitutes approved by the FDA for
use with mechanical valve patients. There are some anecdotal accounts of the newer anticoagulants' having been used off-label for this, with disastrous results. I think it will be a while before we see a good warfarin replacement for mech valve patients. The newer anticoagulants that are out now are being used for other indications, like atrial fibrillation, deep vein thrombosis, and post-orthopedic surgery.