title: Simple and safe heparin regimen for acute ischaemia.
abstract: The risk/benefit ratio of acute anticoagulation in ischaemic cerebro-vascular disease is not clearly established. A simple and safe intermittent intravenous heparin regimen (20000 IU daily) was used prospectively in 50 patients of 57 +/- 14 (m +/- sd) years of age whose blood pressures ranged from normal to severe hypertension. Twenty-two patients had cardiogenic embolism and the remaining had recurrent severe transient ischaemic attacks of recent onset or progressive cerebral infarcts. Time of exposure to heparin was 6.4 +/- 4 (m +/- sd) days. Two patients had recurrences of cerebral thromboembolism and none had bleeding complications. This is a safe and efficient method of anticoagulation for patients with cerebral ischaemia when continuous infusion of heparin or close monitoring of clotting times are not used routinely.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010314:Partial Thromboplastin Time; D012306:Risk
chemical_list: D006493:Heparin