14

Antiroagulation: how lowcan itget?

TH ERAPY

Very-low-inten sity anticoagulation with warfarinappears to be as effective as standard low-intensityanticoagulation. according to the results of a pilotstudy conducted by researchers in the US.

They randomised tOl patients with variou sindica tions for warfarin anticoagulation tovery- low-intensity anticoagulation [interna tionalnormalised ratio (lNR) for prothrombin time 1.4-2.0 ;922 patient-months of follow -up] or standardlew -intensi ty anticoagulation (INR 2.0-3.0; 772patient-months of follo w-up).

Two patien ts in the very-low-intensity groupexperienced a thrombotic or embolic complication,compared with Done in the standard low- intensitygroup. One patient in the latter group developed amajor haemorThagic complication. compared withnone in the very-low-intensity group. The se between­group differences were DOl stati stically significant .KkiJl ICL, Benbu..l DH, ldi.lbollea10. HikleD rr.~ NJ.d atEqual dfcctiYeDCU 01vay·Iow·~~ and Italldanllow·iNcasi ly anlicoqIIlaDon: a piIoI: $bIdy. Soutbem Medical Jo\ImaI 88 :11».1139,Nov 1m _ ,