Pitfalls in Anticoagulant Therapy for Myocardial Infarction

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Abstract
Treatment of hospitalized patients with anticoagulants is safe and easy. Hazards and related to adequacy of laboratory control of prothrombin time determinations and to inherent inadequacies of the test Also, chronic elevations of serum transaminase levels may follow anticoagulant use and lead to false interpretation. On an outpatient basis, problems include Fluctuations in dosage requirements due to environmental change, altered dietary habits, exposure to organic solvents and other situations which alter the vitamin K/hepatic function balance. Psychological factors which tend to make the patient too dependent upon the drug or which make them reject it completely. The problem of remembering to take daily doses and to get prothrombin time frequently enough. Proper treatment of bleeding episodes and bed rest, cessation of anticoagulant therapy and avoidance of use of vitamin K if at all possible.