Value of long-term anticoagulant therapy in coronary disease.

Abstract

One hundred fifty-six patients with coronary disease were observed on an initial uninterrupted course of anticoagulant therapy. Of these, 84 were observed after discontinuation of treatment. First, nonfatal recurrence rates and death rates were determined at successive time periods by the survivorship table method. An estimated 803 per 1,000 patients on continuous therapy remained recurrence-free after 60 months compared with 365 per 1,000 remaining recurrence-free for 60 months after discontinuance of treatment. This difference was shown to be statistically significant throughout the period of observation. The recurrence rate after discontinuance is higher in those with more prolonged initial treatment, suggesting the inadvisability of stopping treatment. An estimated 736 per 1,000 survived after 60 months of treatment. Exclusion of patients with diabetes and heart failure increased the 5-year survival rate to 912 per 1,000.