Profile of Patients Anticoagulated over a period of One Year in the Respiratory unit of Federal Medical Centre, Owerri.

Abstract

Anticoagulation is indicated in several medical conditions including in the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism. Different anticoagulants are in use and may be taken through the oral or parenteral route. We undertook a cross-sectional study of patients presenting or referred to the respiratory unit of the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, who underwent anticoagulation between September 2018 to August 2019, to profile them based on their background demographics, medical/surgical characteristics, type and duration of anticoagulation used, complications and 30-day outcome. A total of 106 patients were studied with an average age of 61.4 ± 17.8 years, age range of 18 - 98 years and a M:F ratio of 1.1:1. Majority (65.1%) of the patients were medical patients. Most (51.9%) of the patients were on low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) alone and the median treatment duration was 10 days. Two (1.9%) cases of nonfatal bleeding were recorded and the 30-day mortality rate was 21.7%. The choice of a LMWH either singly or in combination with a novel oral anticoagulant (NOAC) marginally predicted 30-day survival over the use of warfarin. We conclude that anticoagulant therapy reduces mortality in the medical patient and the NOACs are a relatively safe option in achieving effective anticoagulation where facilities for routine monitoring do not readily exist.