Prevalence of in-hospital complications in 500 patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention treated with heparin 5000 IU administered systemically versus 500 age-matched and sex-matched patients treated with heparin 70 IU/kg administered systemically.

ABSTRACT

We investigated the prevalence of in-hospital complications in 500 patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) treated with heparin 5000 IU administered systemically (group 1) at the time of PCI versus in 500 age-matched and sex-matched patients undergoing PCI treated with heparin 70 IU/kg administered systemically (group 2) at the time of PCI. There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics, indications for PCI, cardiovascular drug therapy at the time of PCI, prevalence of 1-vessel, 2-vessel, and 3-vessel obstructive coronary artery disease, and in-hospital complications between the 2 groups. In-hospital death occurred in 0.2% of group 1 patients versus 0.8% of group 2 patients. Non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction occurred in 0.2% of group 1 patients versus 0.4% of group 2 patients. Stroke occurred in 0.2% of group 1 patients versus 0.2% of group 2 patients. Stent thrombosis occurred in 0.2% of group 1 patients versus 0.8% of group 2 patients. Occlusion of a side branch occurred in 0.2% of group 1 patients versus 0.4% of group 2 patients. A hematoma needing intervention occurred in 0.2% of group 1 patients versus 0.2% of group 2 patients. Regression analysis showed that none of the differences between the 2 groups were significant. The sample size was adequate to conclude that a fixed low dose of heparin 5000 IU administered systemically at the time of PCI is noninferior to standard therapy with heparin.