RESUMO
Development: The Department of Geriatric Cardiology of the Brazilian Society of Cardiology (Departamento de Cardiogeriatria da Sociedade Brasileira da Cardiologia) and the Brazilian Geriatrics and Gerontology Society (Sociedade Brasileira de Geriatria e Gerontologia). (AU)
Assuntos
Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Sociedades Médicas , Doenças Cardiovasculares/diagnóstico , Doenças Cardiovasculares/etiologia , Doenças Cardiovasculares/terapia , Geriatria , Serviços de Saúde para Idosos , Brasil , Fatores de Risco , Causas de Morte , Guias como Assunto , Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
OBJECTIVE - To investigate whether patients with heart valve prostheses and similar International Normalized Ratios (INR) have the same level of protection against thromboembolic events, that is, whether the anticoagulation intensity is related to the intensity of hypercoagulability supression. METHODS - INR and plasma levels of prothrombin fragment 1+2 (F1+2) were assessed in blood samples of 27 patients (7 with mechanical heart valves and 20 with biological heart valves) and 27 blood samples from healthy donors that were not taking any medication. RESULTS - Increased levels of F1+2 were observed in blood samples of 5 patients with heart valve prostheses taking warfarin. These findings reinforce the idea that even though patients may have INRs, within the therapeutic spectrum, they are not free from new thromboembolic events. CONCLUSION - Determination of the hypercoagulability marker F1+2 might result in greater efficacy and safety for the use of oral anticoagulants, resulting in improved quality of life for patients
