We have located links that may give you full text access.
COMPARATIVE STUDY
JOURNAL ARTICLE
Implantation of cardiac rhythm devices without interruption of oral anticoagulation compared with perioperative bridging with low-molecular weight heparin.
American Heart Journal 2009 August
BACKGROUND: Increasing numbers of patients requiring arrhythmia device implantation are taking warfarin. The common practice of warfarin interruption and perioperative bridging with heparin is associated with a high rate of postoperative hemorrhagic complications. We assessed the safety of device implantation without interruption of warfarin therapy.
METHODS: Three patient groups were studied: Group 1 consisted of 117 consecutive patients on long-term warfarin therapy with significant risk of thromboembolism (atrial fibrillation with CHADS(2) score > or =2, mechanical heart valve, recent venous thromboembolism) who underwent arrhythmia device implantation without interruption of warfarin. Group 2 was 117 patients who served as age- and sex-matched controls matched to procedure type not taking warfarin. Group 3 consisted of 38 similar thromboembolic risk historical control patients who underwent interruption of warfarin therapy and bridging with dalteparin before and 24 hours after surgery. Active fixation leads were used by subclavian or axillary vein puncture, with septal fixation in the ventricle in 56% of patients. Hemorrhagic and thromboembolic complications were assessed at discharge and at 7 and 30 days after surgery.
RESULTS: During an 18-month period, 1,562 consecutive adult patients underwent heart rhythm device implantation or replacement. One hundred seventeen of the 447 patients on warfarin were considered high risk and remained on warfarin for their procedure. The mean international normalized ratio in group 1 patients was 2.2 +/- 0.4 (age 79 +/- 11 years, 73 male). Significant hematoma was noted in 9 patients (7.7%), and one required surgical revision (0.9%). Five group 2 patients (control) had significant hematomas (4.3%), none of which required revision (P = .41). In group 3, 9 patients developed significant hematomas (23.7%, P = .012), 3 of whom required reoperation (7.9%, P = .046). There were no deaths, thromboembolic events, cardiac tamponade, or hemothorax in any patient. The only risk factor for hematoma in the warfarin patients was the number of leads implanted.
CONCLUSIONS: Arrhythmia devices can be implanted safely in patients with high thromboembolic risk without interruption of warfarin. This strategy may be associated with reduced risk of significant pocket hematoma compared with dalteparin bridging.
METHODS: Three patient groups were studied: Group 1 consisted of 117 consecutive patients on long-term warfarin therapy with significant risk of thromboembolism (atrial fibrillation with CHADS(2) score > or =2, mechanical heart valve, recent venous thromboembolism) who underwent arrhythmia device implantation without interruption of warfarin. Group 2 was 117 patients who served as age- and sex-matched controls matched to procedure type not taking warfarin. Group 3 consisted of 38 similar thromboembolic risk historical control patients who underwent interruption of warfarin therapy and bridging with dalteparin before and 24 hours after surgery. Active fixation leads were used by subclavian or axillary vein puncture, with septal fixation in the ventricle in 56% of patients. Hemorrhagic and thromboembolic complications were assessed at discharge and at 7 and 30 days after surgery.
RESULTS: During an 18-month period, 1,562 consecutive adult patients underwent heart rhythm device implantation or replacement. One hundred seventeen of the 447 patients on warfarin were considered high risk and remained on warfarin for their procedure. The mean international normalized ratio in group 1 patients was 2.2 +/- 0.4 (age 79 +/- 11 years, 73 male). Significant hematoma was noted in 9 patients (7.7%), and one required surgical revision (0.9%). Five group 2 patients (control) had significant hematomas (4.3%), none of which required revision (P = .41). In group 3, 9 patients developed significant hematomas (23.7%, P = .012), 3 of whom required reoperation (7.9%, P = .046). There were no deaths, thromboembolic events, cardiac tamponade, or hemothorax in any patient. The only risk factor for hematoma in the warfarin patients was the number of leads implanted.
CONCLUSIONS: Arrhythmia devices can be implanted safely in patients with high thromboembolic risk without interruption of warfarin. This strategy may be associated with reduced risk of significant pocket hematoma compared with dalteparin bridging.
Full text links
Related Resources
Trending Papers
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: diagnosis, risk assessment, and treatment.Clinical Research in Cardiology : Official Journal of the German Cardiac Society 2024 April 12
Proximal versus distal diuretics in congestive heart failure.Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation 2024 Februrary 30
World Health Organization and International Consensus Classification of eosinophilic disorders: 2024 update on diagnosis, risk stratification, and management.American Journal of Hematology 2024 March 30
Efficacy and safety of pharmacotherapy in chronic insomnia: A review of clinical guidelines and case reports.Mental Health Clinician 2023 October
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.
By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Your Privacy Choices
You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app