Adjusting heparin infusion rates from the initial response to activated coagulation time.
A mathematical description of the dose-response curve of heparin to the activated coagulation time is applied retrospectively to 20 patients treated with continuous heparin infusion. The adjusted heparin dose was compared with a calculated prediction using the theoretical mathematical model. The main actual dose was 28 U/kg/h, and the mean predicted dose was 25.8 U/kg/h. The correlation coefficient was 0.862 (p3 0.05). These data are used to develop a dosing adjustment chart. Special considerations prior to using the calculation or dosing adjustment chart are discussed. The use of this model may allow the clinician to determine more rapidly a therapeutic heparin dosage than previous empiric approaches.
D000328:Adult; D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000188:drug therapy; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D014914:Whole Blood Coagulation Time
D006493:Heparin