title: 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.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Division, the Department of Pharmacy, and Center for Clinical Excellence, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fanikos
authors.forename: Kanella
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tsilimingras
authors.forename: Nils
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kucher
authors.forename: Allison B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Rosen
authors.forename: Melissa D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Hieblinger
authors.forename: Samuel Z
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Goldhaber
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D014859:Warfarin; D006493:Heparin