Comparison of rivaroxaban and dalteparin for the long-term treatment of venous thromboembolism in patients with gynecologic cancers / 부인종양

Thromboembolic Events as Prognostic Clinical Markers in Advanced Pancreatic and Biliary Tract Cancer / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Venous thromboembolic events (VTEs) are common events in patients with advanced cancer. We analyzed the clinical characteristics of VTEs in advanced pancreatic and biliary tract cancer to determine the clinical significance, especially in palliative settings. METHODS: Seventy-nine patients with advanced pancreatic cancer or biliary tract cancer who had thromboembolic events were retrospectively reviewed. We investigated the correlation between clinical course and thromboembolic events, and the laboratory risk factors, such as complete blood count profile. RESULTS: The 79 patients consisted of 40 men (50.6%) and 39 women (49.4%) with a median age of 65 years old (range: 41–80). Forty-three patients (54.4%), had thromboembolic events without any symptoms. Pulmonary thromboembolism occurred in only 31 cases (39.2%), and combined thrombosis at more than two sites occurred in 17 cases (21.5%). Of the 51 patients with active chemotherapy, 45 showed progressive disease. The median survival times were 11.9 weeks in all patients, 15.3 weeks in the treatment group, and 3.4 weeks in the palliative group. There was no difference in survival time between patients treated with dalteparin only and those treated with dalteparin combined with thrombolytic intervention. CONCLUSIONS: VTE can be poor prognostic indicator in pancreatic and biliary tract cacner patients, suggestive of progressive disease and a sign of short life expectancy, requiring hospice and terminal care.

Suspensión de la anticoagulación oral en pacientes con fibrilación auricular ante un procedimiento invasivo: ¿deben recibir un puenteo con anticoagulación parenteral durante su realización? / Suspension of oral anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation before an invasive procedure: should they receive parenteral anticoagulation bridging during its implementation?

En la actualidad, muchos pacientes con fibrilación auricular son anticoagulados por largos períodos. Durante este tiempo pueden ser sometidos a procedimientos invasivos. A partir de una viñeta clínica, un médico se plantea el impacto de utilizar o no heparina de bajo peso molecular como puente farmacológico al momento de suspender la anticoagulación oral. Luego de realizar una búsqueda ad hoc, un ensayo clínico aleatorizado de no inferioridad demuestra que en pacientes con fibrilación auricular, con puntajes de riesgo tromboembólico (CHADS2) intermedios a bajos que requieren una interrupción temporal del tratamiento con warfarina para un procedimiento invasivo electivo, la estrategia de no reemplazar la anticoagulación oral con heparina de bajo peso molecular no resultó inferior (o menos efectiva) para la prevención de tromboembolismo arterial, y disminuyó además el riesgo de sangrado mayor en comparación al uso de un puente con esta medicación. (AU)

Many patients with atrial fibrillation are anticoagulated for long periods. During this time they may be subjected to invasive procedures. From a clinical vignette, a physician discusses the impact of using (or not) low molecular weight heparin as a pharmacological bridge at the time of suspending oral anticoagulation. After conducting a bibliographic search, a no inferiority randomized clinical trial showed that in patients with atrial fibrillation with intermediate to low thromboembolic risk (CHADS2) requiring a temporary interruption of warfarin therapy for an elective invasive procedure, the strategy of with holding low molecular weight heparin bridging was not inferior (or less effective) for the prevention of arterial thromboembolism than its use, also decreasing the risk of major bleeding. (AU)

Comparisons of Bleeding Risks between Rivaroxaban and Dalteparin for Treatment of Venous Thromboembolism in Cancer Patients

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common and life-threating condition in cancer patients. Low molecular weight heparins (LMWH), such as dalteparin, are recommended in the treatment of VTE. Also, rivaroxaban, an orally administered direct factor Xa inhibitor, was approved for the treatment of VTE. It showed similar efficacy to standard therapy (LMWH or warfarin) and was associated with significantly lower rates of major bleedings. However, in the real world, bleeding has been reported to occur frequently in cancer patient receiving rivaroxaban. The goal of this research was to analyze bleeding risks between rivaroxaban and dalteparin for treatment of VTE in cancer patients. METHODS: Medical records of oncology patients who were treated with rivaroxaban or dalteparin for VTE from July 2012 to June 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Data collected were as follows: age, sex, weight, height, cancer types and stages, ECOG (eastern cooperative oncology group) PS (performance score), VTE types, concurrently used medications, study drug information (dose and duration of therapy), INR (international normalized ratio), PT (prothrombin time), and platelet counts. Bleeding was classified into major bleedings, clinically relevant non-major bleedings, and minor bleedings. RESULTS: A total of 399 patients were included in the study. Of these patients, 246 were treated with rivaroxaban and 153 with dalteparin. Bleeding rates were significantly higher in the rivaroxaban group than in the dalteparin group (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.09, 95% CI 1.22-3.60) after adjusting for confounders. In addition, rivaroxaban remained independently associated with 1.78-fold (95% CI 1.14-2.76) shorter time to bleeding compared to dalteparin after adjusting other factors known to be associated with poor outcomes. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that rivaroxaban was associated with an increased risk of bleedings in cancer patients.

The effect of small-molecular-weight heparin added to chemotherapy on survival in small-cell lung cancer - A retrospective analysis.

Aims and Background: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a chemotherapy-responsive tumor and associated with alterations in the coagulation system. Addition of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) to combination chemotherapy (CT) had resulted in increase in survival. The present retrospective trial was designed to determine whether the duration of dalteparin usage has an effect on progression and survival. Materials and Methods: The medical records of 67 patients with SCLC who were given cisplatin-etoposide and concomitant LMWH (dalteparin) was evaluated retrospectively. Results: Median follow-up of patients was 11.3 months. Outcome: 10.6% complete response, 3.0% good partial response, 36.4% partial response, 10.6% stable disease, and 39.4% progressive disease. Side-effects were seen in 40.3% of the patients. Median dalteparin duration was 6,1 months. According the duration of dalteparin patients were grouped in three: who took dalteparin less than 4 months (Group A), 4-6 months (Group B) and more than 6 months (Group C). Mean overall survival (OS) in Group A was 6.5 months, in Group B 11.8 months, and Group C 14.6 months. Mean OS in Group B and C were statistically significantly (P < 0.001) longer than Group A, between Group B and C there was not any significant difference (P = 0.037). Mean progression free survival (PFS) was 9 months. Conclusions: The CT plus LMWH minimum 4 months long is well-tolerable, and may improve PFS and OS in patients with SCLC. For treatment of patients with SCLC CT plus LMWH may be considered as effective future-therapy, and further multi-centre randomised prospective clinical trials must be done to determine the new standard treatment approach for SCLC.

Catéter subcutáneo para la administración de heparina de bajo peso molecular en pediatría / Subcutaneous catheter used for administration of low-molecular-weight-heparin in pediatrics

Introduction: Subcutaneous catheter is a device easy to assemble, which was created for the administration of insulin in diabetic patients, especially in children, aiming to reduce the number of punctures, pain and anxiety of patients and their parents. Objective: To describe the experience using the catheter for subcutaneous administration of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in hospitalized pediatric patients. Patients and Method: A prospective descriptive study in 28 patients who used 87 subcutaneous catheters for the administration of LMWH in the Pediatric Service of the Universidad Catolica de Chile between July, 2010 and November, 2011. Results: Complications associated with the catheter had an incidence of 33 percentin total catheters evaluated; the most frequent complication was the presence of hematoma at the site of insertion (26 percent). These complications occurred more frequently in male (38 percent versus 31 percent in females) and younger patients (9 months versus 12 months), who received dalteparin (54 percent versus 30 percent of other types of heparin) administered every 24 hours (41percent versus 30 percent, administered every 12 hours), and when the catheter was located on both thighs (36 percent versus 32 percent in both arms); however, these differences were not statistically confirmed. Conclusion: The subcutaneous catheter is a good technique to be considered for LMWH in children as it presents minor complications for drug administration.

Introducción: El catéter subcutáneo es un dispositivo de fácil instalación, el cual fue ideado para la administración de insulinas en pacientes diabéticos, especialmente en pediatría, con el fin de disminuir el número de punciones, el dolor y la ansiedad de los pacientes y sus padres. Objetivo: Describir la experiencia del uso del catéter subcutáneo para la administración de heparina de bajo peso molecular (HBPM) en pacientes pediátricos hospitalizados. Pacientes y Método: Estudio descriptivo prospectivo en 28 pacientes que utilizaron 87 catéteres subcutáneos instalados para la administración de HBPM, en el Servicio de Pediatría de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile en el período comprendido entre los meses de julio de 2010 y noviembre de 2011. Resultados: Las complicaciones asociadas al catéter presentaron una incidencia de 33 por ciento en el total de catéteres evaluados, siendo la más frecuente la presencia de hematoma en el sitio de inserción (26 por ciento). Estas complicaciones se presentaron con mayor frecuencia en pacientes de sexo masculino (38 por ciento versus 31 por ciento en sexo femenino) de menor edad (9 meses versus 12 meses), con indicación de dalteparina (54 por ciento versus 30 por ciento con otros tipos de heparina) administrada cada 24 h (41 por ciento versus 30 por ciento cuando fue administrada cada 12 h), y cuando el catéter estuvo ubicado en ambos muslos (36 por ciento versus 32 por ciento en ambos brazos); sin embargo, estas diferencias no fueron confirmadas estadísticamente. Conclusión: El catéter subcutáneo es una buena técnica a considerar para la administración de HBPM en la edad pediátrica, ya que permite la administración del medicamento con complicaciones leves asociadas a su uso.

A Case of Rectus Sheath Hematoma and Pelvic Cavity Hematoma Induced by Dalteparin Injection / 대한내과학회지

Rectus sheath hematoma (RSH) is an uncommon condition caused by hemorrhage into the rectus sheath. RSH is characterized by abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. This condition is associated with old age, childbirth, abdominal surgery, severe coughing, severe sneezing, anticoagulation therapy, and/or coagulation disorders. We report herein a case of RSH and pelvic cavity hematoma that was induced by dalteparin injection in a 77-year-old woman with pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis, and who was successfully treated by conservative management.

A Case of Rectus Sheath Hematoma and Pelvic Cavity Hematoma Induced by Dalteparin Injection / 대한내과학회지

Rectus sheath hematoma (RSH) is an uncommon condition caused by hemorrhage into the rectus sheath. RSH is characterized by abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. This condition is associated with old age, childbirth, abdominal surgery, severe coughing, severe sneezing, anticoagulation therapy, and/or coagulation disorders. We report herein a case of RSH and pelvic cavity hematoma that was induced by dalteparin injection in a 77-year-old woman with pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis, and who was successfully treated by conservative management.

The Prophylaxis of Venous Thromboembolism in Korean Patients with Total Knee Replacement Arthroplasty / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects and problems of venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis with a reduced dosage and administration period in Korean total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 135 consecutive TKA patients with three different VTE prophylaxis regimens. Group dalteparin-aspirin (DA) injected dalteparin for the first 2 days, followed by taking aspirin for the next 5 days, Group aspirin (A) was on aspirin and Group dalteparin (D) on dalteparin 7 days postoperatively. We evaluated the incidence of VTE and safety among the 3 groups. RESULTS: Symptomatic deep vein thrombosis was detected in 4 cases (Group DA: 2, Group A: 1, Group D: 1). Pulmonary embolism (PE) was found in 1 case in each group with no fatal PE. Although no major bleeding complications were seen, minor bleeding incidents were detected in 14 cases (Group DA: 2, Group A: 1, Group D: 11), which was significant in Group D. No significant differences were observed in perioperative blood loss, effusion in the knee joint, thigh swelling or oozing on the wound area among the groups except thigh bruising, which developed more frequently in group D. CONCLUSION: The reduced dosage and administration period of VTE prophylactic medicine combined with mechanical prophylaxis for Korean TKA patients showed no fatal PE, but some minor bleeding incidents frequently developed with 7 days of dalteparin injections. We need to adjust the dosage and duration of prophylactic medication deliberately for Korean TKA patients, considering prophylaxis effectiveness and bleeding complication risks.

Comparison of tirofiban combined with dalteparin or unfractionated heparin in primary percutaneous coronary intervention of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the best treatment of choice for acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). This study aimed to determine the clinical outcomes of tirofiban combined with the low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), dalteparin, in primary PCI patients with acute STEMI.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From February 2006 to July 2006, a total of 120 patients with STEMI treated with primary PCI were randomised to 2 groups: unfractionated heparin (UFH) with tirofiban (group I: 60 patients, (61.2 ± 9.5) years), and dalteparin with tirofiban (group II: 60 patients, (60.5 ± 10.1) years). Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) during hospitalization and at 4 years after PCI were examined. Bleeding complications during hospitalization were also examined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were no significant differences in sex, mean age, risk factors, past history, inflammatory marker, or echocardiography between the 2 groups. In terms of the target vessel and vascular complexity, there were no significant differences between the 2 groups. During the first 7 days, emergent revascularization occurred only in 1 patient (1.7%) in group I. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) occurred in 1 (1.7%) patient in group I and in 1 (1.7%) in group II. Three (5.0%) patients in group I and 1 (1.7%) in group II died. Total in-hospital MACE during the first 7 days was 4 (6.7%) in group I and 2 (3.3%) in group II. Bleeding complications were observed in 10 patients (16.7%) in group I and in 4 patients (6.7%) in group II, however, the difference was not statistically significant. No significant intracranial bleeding was observed in either group. Four years after PCI, death occurred in 5 (8.3%) patients in group I and in 4 (6.7%) in group II. MACE occurred in 12 (20.0%) patients in group I and in 10 (16.7%) patients in group II.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Dalteparin was effective and safe in primary PCI of STEMI patients and combined dalteparin with tirofiban was effective and safe without significant bleeding complications compared with UFH. Although there was no statistically significant difference, LMWH decreased the bleeding complications compared with UFH.</p>

Low molecular weight heparin suppresses lymphatic endothelial cell proliferation induced by vascular endothelial growth factor C in vitro / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive human malignancies. Lymphangiogenesis plays an important role in lymph node metastasis of many solid tumors. It is well known that low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs) can inhibit cell growth, cell invasion and angiogenesis, which are key processes in tumor progression.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We measured the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) in pancreatic cancer cells (PANC-1) using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting. We used an in vitro assay to evaluate the anti-lymphangiogenic effect of an LMWH, Fragmin, on human lymphatic endothelial cell (HLEC) proliferation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Fragmin at a low concentration can effectively inhibits HLEC proliferation induced by VEGF-C. VEGF-C secreted by PANC-1 cells stimulated HLEC proliferation. Low concentration LMWH suppressed HLEC proliferation induced by VEGF-C but did not affect proliferation or VEGF-C expression of PANC-1 cells, whereas high concentrations of LMWH inhibited PANC-1 cell proliferation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>These results suggest that VEGF-C released by cancer cells plays an important role in promoting HLEC proliferation. The LMWH Fragmin has anti-lymphangiogenic effects and may inhibit lymphatic metastasis in pancreatic cancer.</p>

Effects of heparin and dalteparin on oxidative stress during hemodialysls in patients with end-stage renal disease

Dialysis-induced oxidative stress is one of the mechanisms of atherosclerotic changes. Heparin, used in hemodialysis, is an anticoagulant drug with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. This study was planned in order to evaluate the antioxidant effects of heparin and dalteparin [low-molecular weight heparin]. Twenty-two patients underwent 3 hemodialysis sessions with 48-hour intervals. They underwent hemodialysis with heparin, with a bolus dose of 1000 U followed by 1000 U/h during the procedure. The second hemodialysis was done using hypertonic saline solution instead of heparin, and the third, using dalteparin, 4000 U, infused during hemodialysis. Before and after each dialysis session, we measured serum levels of total blood cholesterol, triglyceride, high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterols and oxidized low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, in addition to total antioxidant capacity and paraoxonase 1 activity. Serum concentrations of triglyceride, cholesterol, and oxidized low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, as well as paraoxonase activity and total antioxidant capacity equally increased after the three hemodialysis sessions. Heparin and daltepain increased total antioxidant capacity, but they did not change the ratio of paraoxonase 1 to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol after hemodialysis. No significant differences were found through the study between the two heparin products in their antioxidant activities. Regarding these findings and considering higher price and less availability of dalteparin in comparison to conventional heparin, we recommend using conventional heparin during hemodialysis as the anticoagulant-antioxidant agent

Postoperative deep vein thrombosis in patients with colorectal cancer.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is reported to be common among patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer. This randomized controlled trial was aimed to determine the efficacy of low molecular-weight heparin in the prophylaxis of DVT in this high-risk group and was truncated early in view of an unexpectedly low incidence of DVT. Between March 2002 and January 2004, a total of 99 patients with colorectal cancer - selected for surgery in the lithotomy position - were randomized before surgery to either receive dalteparin or no drug (51 and 48 patients, respectively) during the perioperative period. Duplex ultrasonography was performed before and after the surgery. We also looked for distal venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, hemorrhage and any mortality. No episode of DVT occurred in either the drug arm or the observation arm. There was no death following surgery. The incidence of DVT in Indian patients operated for colorectal cancer in the lithotomy position was negligible.

comparison of standard heparin and dalteparin on prevention of adhesion in peritonitis with or without infection in rat

In our experimental study, 48 rats were divided into six groups in a randomized manner: A[1-3] and B [1-3] groups. A1 and B1 were negative controls. Laparotomy was performed and peritoneal inflammation on exposed bowel and peritoneum in A [1-3] and experimental infection induced in peritoneal cavity of B [1-3]. Each rat of A2 and B2 received 100 IU intraperitoneal standard heparin and each rat of A3 and B3 received 100 IU intraperitoneal dalteparin. On the 21

t postoperative day, rats were euthanized and intensity of intraperitoneal adhesions evaluated macroscopically. The results were analyzed with Chi-Square test. Peritoneal adhesions in experimental groups reduced significantly[p < 0.05] in comparison with controls, but nosignificant differences were seen between experimental groups[p > 0.05]. So, dalteparin and standard heparin are effective in preventing adhesion in infectious and noninfectious peritonitis but nosignificant differences were found between these drugs [p > 0.05]. In brief, regarding to the in vivo beneficial effects of LMWH, dalteparin is more recommended

The Clinical Effects of Abciximab Combined with Dalteparin for High-Risk Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The therapeutic efficacy of combined platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blocker with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is unknown for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 140 patients with AMI and who underwent high-risk PCI was divided into two groups: UFH (group I: 70 patients, 58.7+/-10.5 years of age), and dalteparin (group II: 70 patients, 59.6+/-9.8 years of age). The major adverse cardiac events (MACE) during hospitalization and during the 4 years after PCI were evaluated. RESULTS: The baseline clinical characteristics and angiographic characteristics were not different between the two groups. There were 62.9% totally occluded lesions with thrombus in both groups. Procedural success was achieved for 91.4% of the group I patients and for 90.0% of the group II patients. Any bleeding and hemorrhagic events were not different between the two groups. No significant intracranial bleeding was observed in both groups. The number of in-hospital MACEs was 7 (10.0%) in group I and 4 (5.7%) in group II. Four-year clinical follow-up was performed for 97% of the patients. As a result of the MACEs during the 4 years after PCI, death occurred in 6 (8.6%) patients in group I and in 7 (10.0%) patients in group II. Myocardial infarction occurred in 4 (5.7%) and 4 (5.7%) patients, respectively, target vessel revascularizations were done in 23 (32.9%) and 16 (22.9%) patients, respectively, and coronary artery bypass surgery was done in 3 (4.3%) and 1 (1.4%) patients, respectively. Overall, MACEs occurred in 33 (47.1%) patients of group I and in 26 (35.1%) patients of group II during the 4-year clinical follow-up (p=0.23). CONCLUSION: The long-term clinical outcome of dalteparin combined with abciximab is comparable with that of UFH plus abciximab for the high risk patients with AMI who receive PCI.

Manejo de la embarazada con trombofilia hereditaria

El propósito del estudio es la detección de trombofilia hereditaria en pacientes con antecedente de trombosis y la evaluación de la profilaxis secundaria con Heparina de bajo peso molecular en el embarazo siguiente, en un diseño observacional prospectivo. Pacientes y Método. En once pacientes con Trombosis reciente se investigó Trombofilias: Antitrombina III, Proteína C, Proteina S, Factor V Leiden (Resistencia a la proteina C activada), Hiperhomocisteinemia (Mutación de la metiltetrahidrofolato reductasa MTHFR del gen C677T), Mutación G20210A de la Protrombina y Sindrome Antifosfolípidos (anticuerpos anticardiolipina y anticoagulante lúpico) mediante determinación plasmática de los factores de coagulación. En el embarazo siguiente fueron tratadas desde el primer trimestre con Dalteparine sódica 2500 - 5000 U sbc/día, en forma continua durante la gestación y en los dos meses de puerperio, con suspensión periparto. Los embarazos fueron vigilados en forma estricta con evaluación clínica, ecográfica y controles de coagulación. Resultados: Se confirmó Trombofilia en todos los casos. Ocho pacientes tuvieron Trombofilia aislada: tres Deficiencia Prot S, dos Def Prot C, dos Factor V de Leiden y un caso de Mutación MTHF Gen C677T. Tres pacientes presentaron Trombofilia combinada: un caso con GenP 20210A + Def Prot S + Mutación MTHF Gen C677T y dos casos con Factor V + Mutación MTHF Gen C677T. En la evolución de la gestación hubo once embarazos de término sin complicaciones obstétricas ni secundarias a la tromboprofilaxis y tres abortos espontáneos. Se concluye que la detección de Trombofilias es muy importante en mujeres en riesgo y que la Dalteparine es segura en la profilaxis de trombosis durante el embarazo. Se discuten los hallazgos clínicos y su significado, el riesgo trombótico y se hacen consideraciones sobre la pesquisa y el tratamiento.

The Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of Low Molecular Weight Heparin Combined with Platelet Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitor in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Platelet activation and aggregation, with resultant arterial thrombus formation, play pivotal roles in the pathophysiology of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The efficacy of tirofiban, a specific inhibitor of the platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor, combined with heparin, or low molecular heparin (LMWH), in the management of ACS were evaluated. SUBJECTS AND MEHTODS: One hundred seventeen patients (60.8+/-10.9 years, 76 male), with unstable angina or non-ST elevation myocardial infarction, who had ST-T changes and elevated troponin, were divided into 4 groups : Group I (n=30 : heparin alone), Group II (n=28 : LMWH, dalteparin alone), Group III (n=29 : tirofiban combined with heparin) and Group IV (n=30 : tirofiban with LMWH). The major adverse cardiac events (MACE) among the 4 groups, during 6-month clinical follow-ups, were compared. RESULTS: Percutaneous coronary intervention, or a coronary artery bypass graft, was performed in 23, 19, 19 and 22 patients from Groups I, II, III and IV, respectively (p=0.87). A minor bleeding complication developed in 2 (6.7%), 1 (3.6%), 1 (3.4%) and 2 patients (6.7%) in groups I, II, III and IV, respectively (p=0.79). During the six-month follow-up MACE occurred in 7 (30.4%), 6 (31.6%), 3 (15.8%) and 4 patients (18.2%) in groups I, II, III and IV, respectively (p=0.02 : Group I and II vs. Group III and IV). CONCLUSION: Tirofiban combined with LMWH is safe and may improve the long-term prognosis of patients with ACS.

Dalteparin sodium-associated retroperitoneal hematoma in a patient with diabetic nephropathy / 대한내과학회지

Retroperitoneal Hematoma is a rare intraabdominal bleeding occurring in patients with low- molecular weight heparin anti-coagulant therapy. We report a case of dalteparin sodium-associated retroperitoneal hematoma in a 70-year-old man with diabetic nephropathy with review of this condition in the literature. He had been suffered from type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension for 15 years. In July 2002, he was admitted to our hospital because of unstble angina and left pleural effusion. He was treated with dalteparin sodium and aspirin for unstable angina. On the second hospital day, he was refered to division of nephrology for diabetic nephropathy. Laboratory data on admission included white blood cell count of 4,500/mm3, hemoglobin 9.6 g/dL, platelet count 294,000/mm3, BUN 58.1 mg/dL, serum creatinine 4.1 mg/dL, blood glucose 178 mg/dL, hemoglobin A1c 5.9%, PT 13.9 sec (INR: 1.09), and aPTT 50 sec. On days 6 through 8, he had lower back pain, lower extremity pain and neuropathy, anemia and hypotension. Abdominal ultrasound showed 6 x 6 cm-sized well marginated mixed echogenic lesion in psoas muscle and fluid collection in retroperitoneal cavity. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed increased signal intensity and thickening of the right psoas muscle including 4.7 x 2.3 x 2.1 cm-sized cytic lesion and 6.2X5.3X3.7 cm-sized cystic lesion on the lateral portion of right psoas muscle in T2-weighted images. Percutaneous drainage of cystic lesion was performed by right lateral approach. Hemodialysis was begun without heparinization. Abdominal CT showed 5.5X5 cm-sized high attenuated lesion in right psoas muscle and 5X3 cm, 3X2 cm, 4.5 x 2.5 cm, 4 x 2.5 cm-sized heterogenous, slightly high attenuated lesions in the right lower abdomen and cul-de-sac in the scans with no enhancement. He was treated by conservative therapy. He recovered gradually. Patients with kidney diseases receiving low molecular weight heparin (dalteparin, enoxaparin, etc.) should be closely monitored to prevent serious bleeding complications. The possibility of retroperitoneal hematoma should be considered, whenever symptoms including lower back pain, inguinal pain, leg pain, anemia, or hypotension occured during the lower molecular weight heparin anticoagulant therapy. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of retroperitoneal hematoma in a patient during dalteparin sodium (Fragmin(R)) anticoagulant therapy.

The use of Low Molecular Weight Heparin to Predict Clinical Outcome in Patients with Unstable Angina That Had Undergone Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

BACKGROUND: Antithrombotic therapy with heparin reduces the rate of ischemic events in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Low-molecular-weight heparin, given subcutaneously twice daily, has a more predictable anticoagulant effect than standard unfractionated heparin. Moreover, it is easier to administer and does not require monitoring. METHODS: We prospectively analyzed 180 patients with unstable angina who had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between 1999 and 2001 at Chonnam National University Hospital and had received either 120 U/kg of dalteparin (Fragmin (R) ), administered subcutaneously twice daily (Group I; n=90, 61.8 +/- 8.9 years, male 67.8%), or had received continuous intravenous unfractionated heparin (Group II; n=90, 62.6 +/- 9.7 years, male 70.0%). During hospitalization and at 6 month after PCI, major adverse cardiac events such as acute myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization, death, and restenosis were examined. RESULTS: During hospitalization, the incidence of acute myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization and death were not different between the two groups. At follow-up coronary angiography 6 months after PCI, the incidence of restenosis was lower in group I than in group II (Group I; 26/90, 28.8% vs. Group II; 32/90, 35.6%, p=0.041) and the incidence of target vessel revascularization was lower in group I than in group II (Group I; 21/90, 23.3% vs. Group II; 27/90, 30.0%, p=0.039). No difference was found in the rates of major and minor hemorrhages, ischemic strokes or thrombocytopenia between two groups. By multivariate analysis, the factors related to restenosis were lesion length, postprocedural minimal luminal diameter, CRP on admission, diabetes mellitus, the type of heparin, and stent use. CONCLUSION: Dalteparin, a low molecular weight heparin, is superior to standard unfractionated heparin in terms of reducing the restenosis rate and target vessel revascularization without increasing bleeding complications.

Is Dalteparin Safe in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome?

No abstract available.