Description

Walker and Jick identified risk factors associated with bleeding during heparin therapy. This can help identify patients who may require closer monitoring during heparin therapy or a reduced heparin dose. The authors are from Boston University Medical Center.


Parameters associated with major bleeding:

(1) female gender

(2) age >= 40 years of age (greater if >= 60 years)

(3) BUN >= 50 mg/dL

(4) heavy alcohol use (binge drinker or > 5 alcoholic drinks per day)

(5) heparin dose >= 100 U/kg

(6) aspirin use

(7) substantial underlying morbidity (as evidenced by death during the admission from causes other than hemorrhage)

 

Parameters associated with mild or moderate bleeding:

(1) female gender

(2) heparin dose >= 50 U/kg

(3) aspirin use

(4) substantial underlying morbidity


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