title: Heparin versus placebo for non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTEACS) represent a spectrum of disease including unstable angina and non-ST segment myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Despite treatment with aspirin, beta-blockers and nitroglycerin, unstable angina/NSTEMI is still associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Although evidence suggests that low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is more efficacious compared to unfractionated heparin (UFH), there is limited data to support the role of heparins as a drug class in the treatment of NSTEACS. This is an update of a review last published in 2008.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect of heparins (UFH and LMWH) compared with placebo for the treatment of patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes (unstable angina or NSTEMI).
  
  
  METHODS
  For this update the Cochrane Heart Group Trials Search Co-ordinator searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials on The Cochrane Library (2013, Issue 12), MEDLINE (OVID, 1946 to January week 1 2014), EMBASE (OVID, 1947 to 2014 week 02), CINAHL (1937 to 15 January 2014) and LILACS (1982 to 15 January 2014). We applied no language restrictions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trials of parenteral UFH or LMWH versus placebo in people with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes (unstable angina or NSTEMI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Two review authors independently assessed quality of studies and independently extracted data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no new included studies for this update. Eight studies (3118 participants) were included in this review. We found no evidence for difference in overall mortality between the groups treated with heparin and placebo (risk ratio (RR) = 0.84, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.36 to 1.98). Heparins compared with placebo, reduced the occurrence of myocardial infarction in patients with unstable angina and NSTEMI (RR = 0.40, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.63, number needed to benefit (NNTB) = 33). There was a trend towards more major bleeds in the heparin studies compared to control studies (RR = 2.05, 95% CI 0.91 to 4.60). From a limited data set, there appeared to be no difference between patients treated with heparins compared to control in the occurrence of thrombocytopenia (RR = 0.20, 95% CI 0.01 to 4.24). Assessment of overall risk of bias in these studies was limited as most of the studies did not give sufficient detail to allow assessment of potential risk of bias.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared with placebo, patients treated with heparins had a similar risk of mortality, revascularization, recurrent angina, and thrombocytopenia. However, those treated with heparins had a decreased risk of myocardial infarction and a higher incidence of minor bleeding. Overall, the evidence assessed in this review was classified as low quality according to the GRADE approach. The results presented in this review must therefore be interpreted with caution.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Civil de Guadalajara "Dr. Juan I. Menchaca", Salvador Quevedo y Zubieta No. 750, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, 44340.
authors: Carlos A
authors: CA
authors: Andrade-Castellanos
authors: Luis E
authors: LE
authors: Colunga-Lozano
authors: Netzahualpilli
authors: N
authors: Delgado-Figueroa
authors: Kirk
authors: K
authors: Magee
mesh_terms: D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D000789:Angina, Unstable / Q000188:drug therapy; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006493:Heparin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000517:prevention & control; D010919:Placebos / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D010919:Placebos; D006493:Heparin