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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
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Myocardial Infarction and Functional Outcome Assessment in Pigs
Published on: April 25, 2014
Heparin after acute myocardial infarction
1Department of Medicine, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.
Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy
|April 1, 1997
Summary
The role of heparin after acute myocardial infarction is unclear. Evidence does not consistently support its use with aspirin or thrombolytic therapy, and potential risks exist.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Heparin is frequently used post-acute myocardial infarction, but its administration varies.
- Its use alongside aspirin and thrombolytics requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of heparin in acute myocardial infarction management.
- To assess heparin's efficacy when combined with aspirin and thrombolytic agents.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on heparin's use in acute myocardial infarction.
- Analysis of studies involving heparin, aspirin, and thrombolytic therapy.
Main Results:
- Intravenous heparin post-thrombolysis with aspirin is untested.
- Benefits of heparin are observed within a narrow activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) range; excessive effect linked to increased mortality.
- Delayed subcutaneous heparin with aspirin and thrombolytics shows no mortality benefit.
- No clear mortality benefit for heparin in patients on aspirin without thrombolysis.
- Heparin may reduce intraventricular thrombus but not cerebral embolism or stroke.
Conclusions:
- Heparin's role in acute myocardial infarction management remains uncertain due to unclear benefits and increased bleeding risks.
- Further research is needed to clarify optimal heparin use in specific patient populations.
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