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Dalteparin for acute coronary syndromes
1Division of Pharmacy Practice, Arnold and Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Long Island University, Brooklyn, New York 11201-5497, USA.
Heart Disease (Hagerstown, Md.)
|November 27, 2001
Summary
Dalteparin, a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), shows early protective effects in acute coronary syndromes. While not beneficial long-term, it may reduce risks for patients awaiting procedures.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) represent a significant burden on healthcare systems.
- Low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs) offer advantages over unfractionated heparin (UFH) for ACS treatment.
- Dalteparin is an LMWH approved for unstable angina and non-Q wave myocardial infarction (NQWMI).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of dalteparin in combination with aspirin for treating unstable angina and NQWMI.
- To assess the short-term and long-term benefits of dalteparin in patients with acute coronary syndromes.
Main Methods:
- Three large clinical trials (FRISC, FRIC, FRISC II) were conducted.
- Dalteparin was administered subcutaneously, often with aspirin.
- Outcomes included prevention of death or myocardial infarction (MI) at various time points.
Main Results:
- FRISC suggested a potential need for longer treatment durations (>6 days).
- FRIC found no significant difference between dalteparin and UFH in the acute phase or beyond.
- FRISC II showed a significant reduction in death or MI at 30 days, but not at 3 or 6 months.
Conclusions:
- Dalteparin demonstrates early protective effects in ACS patients, potentially lowering event risk.
- The benefits of dalteparin appear to be primarily in the acute phase or for patients awaiting procedures.
- Further research may be needed to optimize treatment duration and patient selection for dalteparin therapy.