Comparison of efficacy, safety, and cost of low-molecular-weight heparin with continuous-infusion unfractionated heparin for initiation of anticoagulation after mechanical prosthetic valve implantation

Am J Cardiol. 2004 Jan 15;93(2):247-50. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2003.09.054.

Abstract

We compared the efficacy, safety, and impact on postoperative hospital length of stay and inpatient hospital costs of low-molecular-weight heparin with that of unfractionated heparin as a "bridge" to achieving therapeutic levels of anticoagulation with warfarin in patients with newly implanted prosthetic heart valves. The patients who received low-molecular-weight heparin had a shorter length of stay and decreased postoperative costs compared with the control subjects receiving unfractionated heparin.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Anticoagulants / administration & dosage
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation*
  • Heparin / administration & dosage
  • Heparin / therapeutic use*
  • Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / therapeutic use*
  • Hospital Costs / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Length of Stay / statistics & numerical data
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Safety
  • Warfarin / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight
  • Warfarin
  • Heparin