Heart rhythm : the official journal of the Heart Rhythm Society
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Continuation of warfarin during pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation: a randomized clinical trial.
Management of oral anticoagulation in patients undergoing pacemaker (PPM) or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation remains controversial. Prior studies demonstrate that continuation of warfarin may be safer when compared with strategies requiring interruption and/or heparin bridging. Limited data from randomized trials exist. ⋯ While the results were not statistically significant, there was a trend toward reduced complications in patients randomized to warfarin continuation. This strategy should be considered in patients undergoing PPM or ICD implantation.