Post-cardiac catheterization access site complications and low-molecular -weight heparin following cardiac catheterization

J Invasive Cardiol. 2003 Feb;15(2):60-2.

Abstract

The low molecular weight heparin enoxaparin is often administered to patients on long-term anticoagulation regimens who temporarily discontinue warfarin prior to undergoing invasive procedures. The clinical outcome of all enoxaparin-treated patients who underwent cardiac catheterization or coronary artery interventional procedures (n = 119) was evaluated. A total of 5 patients (4.2%) requiring anticoagulation (3 with chronic atrial fibrillation and 2 with ventricular thrombi) developed severe late enoxaparin-associated hemorrhagic or vascular complications at the femoral arterial puncture site between 3 and 11 days post-procedure. Complications included development of femoral arterial pseudoaneurysm (n = 3), hypotension (systolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg) (n = 2), acute decrease in hemoglobin levels to < 8.5 mg/dl (n = 4) and cardiac arrest (n = 1). In patients receiving standard dose enoxaparin after percutaneous invasive cardiac procedures, there is the potential for delayed and severe access site hemorrhagic and vascular complications.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use*
  • Cardiac Catheterization*
  • Coronary Disease / complications
  • Coronary Disease / therapy
  • Female
  • Heart Valve Diseases / complications
  • Heart Valve Diseases / therapy
  • Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Injections, Subcutaneous
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Complications / drug therapy*
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight