title: Minimal heparinization in coronary angioplasty--how much heparin is really warranted?
abstract: The purpose of the study was to assess the results of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), performed with a single intravenous bolus of 2,500 U of heparin, in a nonemergency PTCA cohort. Three hundred of 341 consecutive patients (87.9%) undergoing PTCA were prospectively enrolled in the study. They received heparin, 2,500-U intravenous bolus, before PTCA, with intention of no additional heparin administration. Patient and lesion characteristics as well as PTCA results were evaluated independently by 2 physicians. Patients were followed up by structured telephone questionnaires at 1 and 6 months after PTCA. Mean activated clotting time obtained 5 minutes after heparin administration was 185+/-19 seconds (range 157 to 238). There were 3 (1%) in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events: 2 deaths (0.66%), 1 (0.33%) Q-wave myocardial infarction. Emergency coronary surgery and stroke were not reported. Six patients (2%) experienced abrupt coronary occlusion within 14 days after PTCA, warranting repeat target vessel revascularization. Angiographic and clinical success were achieved in 96% and 93.3%, respectively. No bleeding or vascular complications were recorded. Six-month follow-up (184 patients) revealed 3 cardiac deaths (1 arrhythmic, 2 after cardiac surgery), 1 Q-wave myocardial infarction, and 9.7% repeat target vessel revascularization. This study suggests that very low doses of heparin and reduced activated clotting time target values are safe in non-emergency PTCA, and can reduce bleeding complications, hospital stay, and costs. Larger, randomized, double-blind heparin dose optimization studies need to confirm this notion.
authors.affiliation: Assaf Harofeh Cardiology Institute, Zerifin, Israel. ekaluski@asaf.health.gov.il
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kaluski
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Krakover
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cotter
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hendler
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zyssman
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Milovanov
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blatt
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zimmerman
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Goldstein
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nahman
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Vered
mesh_terms: D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D013997:Time Factors; D014914:Whole Blood Coagulation Time
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D006493:Heparin