Bridging Anticoagulation in Patients who Require Temporary Interruption of Warfarin Therapy for an Elective Invasive Procedure or Surgery

Blood thinners, such as warfarin, prevent blood clots from forming, thereby reducing the risk of a stroke or heart attack. When people undergo surgery or certain procedures, they must stop using warfarin to prevent too much bleeding during and after the surgery or procedure. Some doctors prescribe a different blood thinner, one that works more quickly and wears off more quickly, to bridge the gap between starting and stopping warfarin.

The study objectives for the BRIDGE Trial are to evaluate the efficacy of bridging anticoagulation (therapeutic-dose LMWH) on the rate of ATE in patients with atrial fibrillation who require temporary interruption of warfarin and to analyze also the safety of bridging anticoagulation on the rate of major bleeding in patients who require temporary interruption of warfarin.