A comparative study of dalteparin and unfractionated heparin in patients with unstable angina pectoris

To compare the efficacy and safety profile of dalteparin, a low-molecular-weight heparin with a standard unfractionated heparin in patients with unstable angina pectoris.

This was a 6-month, prospective, parallel, randomized and open-labeled study. Patients of angina pectoris were randomized to receive either unfractionated heparin or dalteparin for 5 days. They were followed for 21 days during three visits on 1(st), 5(th) and 21(st) days. A series of resting electrocardiogram were undertaken in all patients on each visit.

The frequency of the combined clinical outcome of death, myocardial infarction and recurrence of angina was similar during 21 days of follow-up with either dalteparin or intravenous unfractionated heparin. In patients who received dalteparin 2.43% patients developed minor bleeding in the form of epistaxis and 2.5% patients who received unfractionated heparin developed minor bleeding in the form of macroscopic hematuria.

Dalteparin is as effective and safe as unfractionated heparin in the treatment of unstable angina. Dalteparin does not require routine laboratory monitoring as with unfractionated heparin.