Plasma hypercoagulability after termination of oral anticoagulants

The effect of discontinuation of a long term oral anticoagulant therapy with phenprocoumon on blood clotting parameters has been evaluated in patients in a controlled prospective trial. After termination of phenprocoumon the prothrombin time normalized within 15 days and the thrombotest coagulation value within 57 days. Fibrinopeptide A (FPA) increased significantly during the observation period. FPA release in vitro also rose after discontinuation of anticoagulants. In control patients on a phenprocoumon maintenance therapy no alterations of the above mentioned parameters occurred within the same period. The data indicate that plasma hypercoagulability is found in many patients, orally anticoagulated because of myocardial infarction, when the anticoagulant therapy is discontinued.