title: Prevention of arterial and pulmonary embolism by oral anticoagulants in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.
abstract: The incidence of arterial embolism (AE) and pulmonary embolism (PE) during treatment with oral anticoagulants (OA) or without OA therapy was studied in 38 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMP). AE/PE occurred in 17 patients (44.7%) before initiation of OA treatment. The severity of DCMP was a risk factor for AE/PE, but not the presence of atrial fibrillation or intracardial thrombi. No AE/PE episodes occurred during the period of OA therapy. No major bleeding complications were seen, probably due to the moderate intensity of OA therapy (therapeutic range 5-15% Thrombotest [TT], 2.1-4.8 International Normalized Ratio [INR], median TT value 11%, median INR 2.6). Recurrence of AE was observed in 4 of 5 patients in whom treatment with OA had been discontinued.
mesh_terms: D015110:4-Hydroxycoumarins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001158:Arteries; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D004617:Embolism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010644:Phenprocoumon / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012306:Risk
chemical_list: D015110:4-Hydroxycoumarins; D010644:Phenprocoumon