Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 28, 2012
The primary risk of anticoagulant therapy in cardiac embolic stroke is hemorrhage--particularly cerebral hemorrhage in the elderly. Improving the benefit/risk ratio for indicated anticoagulation involves consideration of the following: hemostatic competence, blood pressure, drug interactions, falls, interval surgery, diet, aspirin and last but not least, the intensity of anticoagulant prophylaxis. For the present it would be prudent to limit heparin administration to a low-dose regimen not exceeding 20,000 units/24 hours and warfarin maintenance to a low-dose prothrombin time ratio of 1.5.
The primary risk of anticoagulant therapy in cardiac embolic stroke is hemorrhage--particularly cerebral hemorrhage in the elderly. Improving the benefit/risk ratio for indicated anticoagulation involves consideration of the following: hemostatic competence, blood pressure, drug interactions, falls, interval surgery, diet, aspirin and last but not least, the intensity of anticoagulant prophylaxis. For the present it would be prudent to limit heparin administration to a low-dose regimen not exceeding 20,000 units/24 hours and warfarin maintenance to a low-dose prothrombin time ratio of 1.5.
Related Concept Videos
Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins
Anticoagulant Drugs: Vitamin K Antagonists and Direct Oral Anticoagulants
Warfarin, a prominent vitamin K antagonist family member, exerts its effect by inhibiting the enzyme VKORC1 (vitamin K epoxide reductase complex 1). By hindering this enzyme, warfarin...
Antiplatelet Drugs: Prostaglandin Synthesis, P2Y12 and Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors
Prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors, exemplified by the widely known aspirin, wield their power by irreversibly acetylating...
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
Pulmonary Embolism III: Nursing Management

