BACKGROUND: Oral anticoagulants are broadly used in cardiology. However, it is still necessary to evaluate their use in clinical practice. OBJECTIVES: To describe the differences in the maintenance of anticoagulation control, as well as the incidence of hemorrhagic and thromboembolic events among users of warfarin and phenprocoumon. METHODS: Non-concurrent cohort study of 127 patients using oral anticoagulation. RESULTS: Phenprocoumon was the most frequently used anticoagulant in 60% of the patients. The prevalence of RNI<2 at the last medical appointment was higher among warfarin users (46% vs. 19.5%; p<0.001). During the follow-up, Phenprocoumon users were within the therapeutic range during 60.7% of the period, in comparison with 45.6% of warfarin users (OR:1.84; 95%CI:1.59-2.13; P<0.001). The incidence of bleeding was 5.3/100 patients/year in the phenprocoumon group versus 18.8/100 patients/year in the warfarin group (RR: 3.5; 95%CI: 1.87-6.48; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients that used Warfarin remained at subtherapeutic levels for a longer period; however, they also presented more hemorrhagic events. Phenprocoumon users were younger and had been using oral anticoagulation for longer periods, presenting fewer drug-related adverse events.
warfarin; phenprocumon; anticoagulants; hemorrhage; anticoagulants; anticoagulants
