Heparin has No Place as an Anticoagulant in PCI – A Protagonist’s View

Abstract

Unfractionated heparin is the standard anticoagulant of choice for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. However it has signifi cant pharmacologic limitations such as need for frequent laboratory monitoring of anticoagulation status and unpredictable response in acute infl ammatory states. Low molecular weight heparin such as enoxaparin has emerged as a feasible alternative with clinical studies of its use in both elective and emergency PCI indicating that it is just as effective, and has higher safety profi le. With its more predictable anticoagulant response, greater bioavailability, practical clinical benefi ts including early sheath removal; and potential cost saving, enoxaparin has made itself a preferred alternative in modern PCI.