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Guest
A study has just been reported using Fragmin (dalteparin), a low molecular weight heparin similar to Lovenox, for bridging therapy. The study involved 38 male veterans with mechanical heart valves. The group used bridging 64 different times. There were no clotting events within 1 month of using Fragmin as a bridge. Bleeding occurred in 23% of the bridging episodes. I only read an abstract and in it the authors say that the bleeding usually stopped without intervention, so I don?t know if there were any serious bleeds. The authors were unable to determine any risk factor that would have predicted a likelihood for bleeding. I would have been surprised if they had found a risk factor with such a small group. The authors concluded that Fragmin was a safe, effective means of short-term clot prevention in this population of ambulatory male veterans with mechanical heart valves.
O'neill JL, Flanagan PS, Zaleon CR, Copeland LA. Safety of outpatient dalteparin therapy in veterans with mechanical heart valves. Pharmacotherapy. 2005 Nov;25(11):1560-5.
O'neill JL, Flanagan PS, Zaleon CR, Copeland LA. Safety of outpatient dalteparin therapy in veterans with mechanical heart valves. Pharmacotherapy. 2005 Nov;25(11):1560-5.
