@Article{chd.12551,
AUTHOR = {Karen Hinsley, Margaret Evans-Langhorst, Courtney Porter, Stephanie Chandler, Christina VanderPluym, John Triedman, Vassilios J. Bezzerides},
TITLE = {Low molecular weight heparin as an anticoagulation strategy for left-sided ablation procedures},
JOURNAL = {Structural and Congenital Heart Disease},
VOLUME = {13},
YEAR = {2018},
NUMBER = {2},
PAGES = {222--225},
URL = {http://www.techscience.com/schd/v13n2/38960},
ISSN = {3071-1738},
ABSTRACT = {<b>Objective:</b> This quality improvement study was implemented to demonstrate consistent and reliable post procedure anticoagulation for patients undergoing left-sided ablations. We evaluated the
safety and efficacy of anticoagulation practice during a transition from anticoagulation with overnight infusion of unfractionated heparin to a single subcutaneous injection of low molecular
weight heparin.<br/>
<b>Methods:</b> Outcomes for patients who received unfractionated heparin from January 2014 to
October 2014, were compared with outcomes of patients who received low molecular weight heparin from October 2014 to October 2015. Complications prepractice and postpractice change
were documented and compared to establish confidence in the practice change and confirm the
safety of the anticoagulation therapy management.<br/>
<b>Results:</b> There were no differences in the type or frequency of complications/adverse events demonstrated between the patients who had received unfractionated heparin for anticoagulation
prophylaxis and those who received low molecular weight heparin. No thromboembolic events
were reported or documented with either anticoagulation strategy. After confidence in the safety
and efficacy of the practice change was established, a decision was made to discharge patients
home the same day as there procedure, effectively reducing inpatient bed days and overall costs.<br/>
<b>Conclusion:</b> Administration of low molecular weight heparin provides predictable anticoagulation
and equally safe as unfractionated heparin when administered to patients post left-sided ablation.
A secondary gain has been reduction of procedural costs by elimination of the previously required
inpatient observation stay.},
DOI = {10.1111/chd.12551}
}