A multicenter study of anticoagulation parameters when using heparin and XXXX .

@entity66 @entity1229 @entity548
Anticoagulation with heparin and @entity1229 is used in the treatment of several diseases including @entity66 . While the most effective therapeutic range of anticoagulation is unclear, some investigators have found an increased risk of @entity548 complications with more intense anticoagulation. Recent studies have suggested that lower levels of anticoagulation may be as efficacious as high levels but with a reduced incidence of @entity548 complications. In order to better assess the anticoagulation parameters used by neurologists and house officers, we performed a questionnaire survey at six major medical centers. Responses were obtained from 30 attending neurologists and 52 house officers. Attending physicians and house officers selected mean partial thromboplastin times of 57.7 s and 63.3 s, respectively. The mean prothrombin time (PT) was 21.0 s for attending neurologists and 19.4 s for house officers. The average PT ratio was 1.82 for attending neurologists and 1.69 for house officers. Forty percent of attending neurologists and 17.7% of house officers specified PT ratios of 2.0 or greater. These results indicate that many physicians may be using @entity1229 in dosages above recommended guidelines.
