Comparison of effects of dalteparin and enoxaparin on hemostatic parameters and von Willebrand factor in patients with unstable angina pectoris or non-ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction

We compared the effects of dalteparin and enoxaparin on the distinct hemostatic parameters of the thrombin and plasmin activation systems in patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP) and non-ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (non-ST-AMI). Changes in these parameters have previously been used as surrogate markers for antithrombotic efficacy and to explain differences in clinical outcome during different treatments with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH).(1) We also determined circulating plasma levels of von Willebrand factor (vWF), a parameter that has been correlated with impaired clinical outcome(2): in patients with UAP, an increase of vWF over the first 48 hours was associated with an adverse outcome at 1-year follow-up. Release of vWF has been shown to be influenced differently by various anticoagulants.(3).