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.
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.
Fanikos
John
J
Cardiovascular Division, the Department of Pharmacy, and Center for Clinical Excellence, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Tsilimingras
Kanella
K
Kucher
Nils
N
Rosen
Allison B
AB
Hieblinger
Melissa D
MD
Goldhaber
Samuel Z
SZ
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017721:Hospital Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012449:Safety; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000925:Anticoagulants; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D014859:Warfarin; D006493:Heparin