S Schulman1, J S Healey2, J D Douketis3, J Delaney4, C A Morillo2. 1. Thrombosis and Atherosclerosis Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Department of Medicine, Thrombosis Service, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: schulms@mcmaster.ca. 2. Department of Medicine, Thrombosis Service, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Arrhythmia Services, Cardiology Division, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada. 3. Thrombosis and Atherosclerosis Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Department of Medicine, Thrombosis Service, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada. 4. Department of Medicine, Thrombosis Service, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Perioperative management with reduced-dose warfarin is of potential interest by eliminating the need for bridging while still maintaining a degree of anticoagulation. The outcomes of this regimen have not been well determined. METHODS: In a randomized controlled trial we compared two regimens for management of anticoagulation with warfarin in patients with implantation of a pacemaker or defibrillator. Half dose of warfarin for 3-6 days, depending on the baseline international normalized ratio (INR), before surgery aiming at an INR of ≤ 1.7 was compared with interrupted warfarin for 5 days with preoperative bridging with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) at therapeutic dose for 2.5 days. Main safety outcome was pocket hematoma. Secondary outcomes were major bleeding, thromboembolism - all within 1 month, days of hospitalization and number of patients requiring correction of INR with vitamin K. RESULTS: The study was planned for 450 patients but it was discontinued prematurely due to a change in practice. Pocket hematoma occurred in 4 of 85 patients (5%) randomized to the bridged regimen and in 3 of 86 patients (3%) randomized to reduced-dose warfarin. One pocket hematoma in each group was severe. There were no major hemorrhages or thromboembolism within the 1-month window. Duration of hospitalization was similar in the two groups. Correction of INR the day before surgery with vitamin K had to be used for significantly more patients in the reduced-dose warfarin group (41%) than in the bridged regimen group (6%). CONCLUSION: The reduced-dose warfarin regimen appeared to have similar safety after device implantation as interrupted warfarin with preoperative LMWH bridging. Due to premature discontinuation no firm conclusion can be drawn. The reduced-dose warfarin regimen often failed to achieve the intended preoperative INR. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT 02094157.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Perioperative management with reduced-dose warfarin is of potential interest by eliminating the need for bridging while still maintaining a degree of anticoagulation. The outcomes of this regimen have not been well determined. METHODS: In a randomized controlled trial we compared two regimens for management of anticoagulation with warfarin in patients with implantation of a pacemaker or defibrillator. Half dose of warfarin for 3-6 days, depending on the baseline international normalized ratio (INR), before surgery aiming at an INR of ≤ 1.7 was compared with interrupted warfarin for 5 days with preoperative bridging with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) at therapeutic dose for 2.5 days. Main safety outcome was pocket hematoma. Secondary outcomes were major bleeding, thromboembolism - all within 1 month, days of hospitalization and number of patients requiring correction of INR with vitamin K. RESULTS: The study was planned for 450 patients but it was discontinued prematurely due to a change in practice. Pocket hematoma occurred in 4 of 85 patients (5%) randomized to the bridged regimen and in 3 of 86 patients (3%) randomized to reduced-dose warfarin. One pocket hematoma in each group was severe. There were no major hemorrhages or thromboembolism within the 1-month window. Duration of hospitalization was similar in the two groups. Correction of INR the day before surgery with vitamin K had to be used for significantly more patients in the reduced-dose warfarin group (41%) than in the bridged regimen group (6%). CONCLUSION: The reduced-dose warfarin regimen appeared to have similar safety after device implantation as interrupted warfarin with preoperative LMWH bridging. Due to premature discontinuation no firm conclusion can be drawn. The reduced-dose warfarin regimen often failed to achieve the intended preoperative INR. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT 02094157.
Authors: S M Schellong; H Riess; M Spannagl; H Omran; M Schwarzbach; F Langer; W Gogarten; P Bramlage; R M Bauersachs Journal: Internist (Berl) Date: 2018-07 Impact factor: 0.743
Authors: S M Schellong; H Riess; M Spannagl; H Omran; M Schwarzbach; F Langer; W Gogarten; P Bramlage; R M Bauersachs Journal: Anaesthesist Date: 2018-08 Impact factor: 1.041