Efficacy and Toxicity of Heparin in Relation to Age and Sex

Abstract

In 97 consecutive patients who received heparin, efficacy, as assessed by a clinically satisfactory response, was not related to sex or age. Adverse reactions occurred in 18 out of 56 women (32 per cent) and six out of 41 men (15 per cent). Average age of patients with reactions was 66 years versus 55 years for the remainder. The p values for association by sex and age were respectively less than 0.05 and 0.02. The increased toxicity in women appeared to be limited to those over the age of 60. In these, the risk was 50 per cent. Corresponding figures for men over 60, women under 60 and men under 60 were 19 per cent, 14 per cent and 10 per cent, respectively. All but one of the reactions were due to bleeding. Death from massive intrapulmonary hemorrhage was attributed to heparin in one case. There appears to be a higher risk of bleeding, without a corresponding improvement in efficacy, in women over the age of 60 who receive heparin.