Beneficial effect of heparin in the management of patients with APL
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The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 28, 2012
C F Hoyle1, D M Swirsky, L Freedman
1Department of Haematological Medicine, University Clinical School, Cambridge.
115 patients with acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) were studied retrospectively to evaluate prognostic factors and assess therapeutic approaches, particularly the use of heparin in the management of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). The remission rate was 86% (30/35 patients) in those who received heparin and 49% (39/80 patients) in those who received no heparin (P = 0.0002). This difference in remission rates was accounted for by a marked decrease in the number of haemorrhagic deaths, especially those due to intracranial haemorrhage (ICH), in the heparin treated group. Other factors associated with a poor remission rate were prothrombin ratio (PTR) greater than 1.3 (P = 0.008), fibrinogen less than 1.5 g/l (P = 0.02) and WCC greater than 2.0 x 10(9)/l (P = 0.03).
115 patients with acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) were studied retrospectively to evaluate prognostic factors and assess therapeutic approaches, particularly the use of heparin in the management of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). The remission rate was 86% (30/35 patients) in those who received heparin and 49% (39/80 patients) in those who received no heparin (P = 0.0002). This difference in remission rates was accounted for by a marked decrease in the number of haemorrhagic deaths, especially those due to intracranial haemorrhage (ICH), in the heparin treated group. Other factors associated with a poor remission rate were prothrombin ratio (PTR) greater than 1.3 (P = 0.008), fibrinogen less than 1.5 g/l (P = 0.02) and WCC greater than 2.0 x 10(9)/l (P = 0.03).
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