[Warfarin and phenprocoumon: experience of an outpatient anticoagulation clinic]

Oral anticoagulants are broadly used in cardiology. However, it is still necessary to evaluate their use in clinical practice.

To describe the differences in the maintenance of anticoagulation control, as well as the incidence of hemorrhagic and thromboembolic events among users of warfarin and phenprocoumon.

Non-concurrent cohort study of 127 patients using oral anticoagulation.

Phenprocoumon was the most frequently used anticoagulant in 60% of the patients. The prevalence of RNI<2 at the last medical appointment was higher among warfarin users (46% vs. 19.5%; p<0.001). During the follow-up, Phenprocoumon users were within the therapeutic range during 60.7% of the period, in comparison with 45.6% of warfarin users (OR:1.84; 95%CI:1.59-2.13; P<0.001). The incidence of bleeding was 5.3/100 patients/year in the phenprocoumon group versus 18.8/100 patients/year in the warfarin group (RR: 3.5; 95%CI: 1.87-6.48; P<0.001).

Patients that used Warfarin remained at subtherapeutic levels for a longer period; however, they also presented more hemorrhagic events. Phenprocoumon users were younger and had been using oral anticoagulation for longer periods, presenting fewer drug-related adverse events.