Failure of heparin to prevent progression in progressing ischemic infarction.

Abstract

Anticoagulation with heparin is frequently recommended for patients with progressing ischemic cerebral infarction, yet little data is available detailing the acute results of treatment with this agent. We report the results of continuous intravenous heparin treatment in 36 consecutive patients admitted with progressing ischemic infarction, all of whom had computed tomography scans to exclude the diagnosis of hemorrhage prior to treatment. Overall, 18 of 36 (50%) had continued neurologic worsening despite treatment. The incidence of further worsening was greater in carotid territory infarctions (14 of 19, 74%) than in either vertebrobasilar (2 of 8, 25%) or lacunar (2 of 9, 22%) infarctions (p less than 0.05, Fisher's exact test). These observations suggest that additional controlled studies of the efficacy of heparin in progressing ischemic infarction are warranted.

• Authors: E C Haley Jr, N F Kassell, J C Torner
• Journal: Stroke (Stroke) Vol. 19 Issue 1 Pg. 10-4 (Jan 1988) ISSN: 0039-2499 [Print] United States
• PMID: 3336887 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Heparin

Topics

• Cerebral Infarction (prevention & control)
• Heparin (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Ischemic Attack, Transient (prevention & control)