QJM, Vol 90, Issue 8 535-543, Copyright © 1997 by Oxford University Press
CM Yu, TY Chan, WC Tsoi and JE Sanderson
Warfarin requirements are lower in the Chinese, but it is not known if this
applies to heparin. We investigated the optimal dose for heparin therapy in
Chinese patients, and to assess relationship between i.v. heparin dosage
and anticoagulation efficacy. One hundred Chinese patients requiring
intravenous heparin therapy were given an initial bolus followed by
continuous intravenous infusion. The main outcome measures were: (i)
Efficacy of anticoagulation assessed by blood coagulation studies (APTT)
compared to heparin dosage, (ii) Determinants of dosage variation-age,
gender, body weight, height, indication for heparin therapy and number of
medications, other disease, and serum albumin level. It was found that the
mean therapeutic infusion dose requirement of heparin was 848.7 +/- 274.7
units/h, 79% required a dose of 1000 units/h or less. Heparin dose
correlated negatively with age (r = -0.40; p < 0.001) and positively
with weight (r = 0.44 p < 0.001) and height (r = 0.49; p < 0.001).
Chinese subjects require lower heparin doses (about 800 units/h) than
usually recommended for Caucasians (usual dose 1000-1500 units/h). This can
be partly explained by the lower body weight in Chinese patients.
ORIGINAL PAPERS
Heparin therapy in the Chinese--lower doses are required
Department of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong.
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