In vitro comparison of the effect of heparin, enoxaparin and fondaparinux on tests of coagulation

Low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is increasingly used in place of unfractionated heparin (UFH) in patients with unstable angina, and phase II clinical trials using fondaparinux for this indication are underway. Because unstable angina patients often require urgent percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) or aortocoronary bypass surgery, a point-of-care test is needed to monitor the anticoagulant effect of these agents. The activated …