Anticoagulant (Antithrombotic) Therapy Hematology Review 361
UNFRACTIONATED HEPARIN LOW MOLECULAR WEIGHT
COUMADIN (WARFARIN) (UFH) HEPARIN (LMWH)
Administration Oral IV Subcutaneous
Action Vitamin K antagonist Catalyzes inhibition of thrombin, Catalyzes inhibition of Xa by AT
Xa, & IXa by AT
Effect Slow acting Immediate Immediate
Duration Long Short Longer than UFH; shorter than warfarin
Test(s) for PT APTT, ACT (point of care), Monitoring usually not required. If
monitoring anti–factor Xa needed, anti–factor Xa should be used.
Other Decreases production of II, Requires AT to be effective APTT is insensitive to LMWH
VII, IX, X