LMWH for perioperative anticoagulation in patients on chronic warfarin therapy

OBJECTIVE: To review current data regarding low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) use for perioperative anticoagulation in patients receiving chronic warfarin therapy. DATA SOURCES: Data were obtained from the Sixth American College of Chest Physicians Consensus Conference on Antithrombotic Therapy guidelines and a MEDLINE search (1996-January 2003). Search terms included heparin, low-molecular-weight heparin, warfarin, perioperative care, and anticoagulants. DATA SYNTHESIS: Heparin is the most common agent used as bridge therapy for perioperative anticoagulation in patients on chronic warfarin therapy; LMWHs are also used. Studies that evaluated enoxaparin and/or dalteparin were reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: Although published studies demonstrate efficacy and safety of LMWHs, more data are needed to support their use as bridge therapy.

Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.

This review examines low-molecular-weight heparin as bridge therapy for patients on chronic warfarin during the perioperative period, concluding that published data support LMWH efficacy and safety but that additional studies are needed to confirm these findings.

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