Clinical study of low-dose warfarin on preventing thromboembolism in preventing patients with atrial fibrillation

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of low-dose warfarin on preventing cerebral embolism in atrial fibrillation patients.Methods:Eighty-six patients with persistent atrial fibrillation were randomly divided into 2 groups:the observation group of low-dose(1.25 mg/d) warfarin(n=43),and the control group of higher dose(2.5 mg/d) warfarin(n=43).The dosage of warfarin was adjusted according to the international normalized ratio(INR)when necessary.Events of cerebral embolism and bleeding complications were compared during one year follow-up.Results:There was no sign ificant difference of the cerebral embolism events between the two groups(4.6% vs 2.3%).The bleeding complications in low-dose of warfarin group was significantly lower than that in the higher dose warfarin control group(4.6% vs 20.9%,P0.05).Conclusion:Low-dose warfarin is safe and effective in preventing cerebral embolism complications in patients with atrial fibrillation.