[Warfarin and phenprocoumon: experience of an outpatient anticoagulation clinic].
BACKGROUND
Oral anticoagulants are broadly used in cardiology. However, it is still necessary to evaluate their use in clinical practice.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the differences in the maintenance of anticoagulation control, as well as the incidence of hemorrhagic and thromboembolic events among users of warfarin and phenprocoumon.


METHODS
Non-concurrent cohort study of 127 patients using oral anticoagulation.


RESULTS
Phenprocoumon was the most frequently used anticoagulant in 60% of the patients. The prevalence of RNI<2 at the last medical appointment was higher among warfarin users (46% vs. 19.5%; p<0.001). During the follow-up, Phenprocoumon users were within the therapeutic range during 60.7% of the period, in comparison with 45.6% of warfarin users (OR:1.84; 95%CI:1.59-2.13; P<0.001). The incidence of bleeding was 5.3/100 patients/year in the phenprocoumon group versus 18.8/100 patients/year in the warfarin group (RR: 3.5; 95%CI: 1.87-6.48; P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients that used Warfarin remained at subtherapeutic levels for a longer period; however, they also presented more hemorrhagic events. Phenprocoumon users were younger and had been using oral anticoagulation for longer periods, presenting fewer drug-related adverse events.
Leiria
Tiago Luiz Luz
TL
Instituto de Cardiologia do Rio Grande do Sul, FUC, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.
Pellanda
Lucia
L
Miglioranza
Marcelo Haertel
MH
Sant'anna
Roberto Tofani
RT
Becker
Lucas S
LS
Magalhães
Eros
E
Lima
Gustavo Glotz de
GG
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010644:Phenprocoumon / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011516:Prothrombin / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014859:Warfarin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin; D011516:Prothrombin; D010644:Phenprocoumon