Fluoroscopy and gated cardiac CT are also useful in evaluating patients with suspected valve 13.2.2. Anticoagulation for Pregnant Women With Mechanical Prosthetic Heart Valves Recommendations for Anticoagulation for Pregnant Women With Mechanical Prosthetic Heart Valves Referenced studies that support the recommendations are summarized in Online Data Supplement 44. COR LOE Recommendations Pregnant women with mechanical prostheses should receive therapeutic anticoagulation with frequent monitoring during pregnancy.1 10 Women with mechanical heart valves who cannot maintain therapeutic anticoagulation with frequent monitoring should be counseled against pregnancy.7,8,10 15 Women with mechanical heart valves and their providers should use shared decision- making to choose an anticoagulation strategy for pregnancy. 