Effect of continuation of warfarin on pocket hematoma in patients with pacemaker implantation
Abstract：Objective To investigate the effect of continuation of warfarin sodium on the incidence of pocket hematoma compared to heparin bridging.Methods We studied 180 consecutive patients taking warfarin long term underwent pacemaker-implanting procedures.Patients were classified into two groups.The first group continued warfarin therapy while maintain a therapeutic INR within a "safe" range (n =90).The second adopted heparin bridging strategy (n =90).Within 2 weeks after pacemaker implanting surgery during hospitalization.Results Twenty-two patients (12.2％) had pocket hematoma.Six patients (6.7％) from continuing warfarin group and 16/90(17.8％) from heparin bridging group (P =0.023).Logistic regression analysis showed that low molecular weight heparin was an independent risk factor for the development of pocket hematoma (RR =2.665,95％ CI:1.073-8.156,P =0.023).Conclusion Continuation of oral anticoagulation therapy with an INR level of 2-3 does not increase the risk of pocket hematoma occurrence,while precaution is still necessary to avoid supra therapeutic warfarin.
Keywords：WarfarinPacemaker implantationPocket hematoma
Publication Date：2013-01-01
Online Publishing Date：2026-09-14(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：3( 1367-1369 )