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(Circulation. 1968;37:II-154.)
© 1968 American Heart Association, Inc.

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Reduced Protamine Dosage for Heparin Neutralization in Open-Heart Operations

ROBERT L. BERGER M.D.¹; KRISHNASWAMY RAMASWAMY M.D.¹; THOMAS J. RYAN M.D.¹

¹ From the Departments of Medicine and Surgery, St. Elizabeth's Hospital and Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.

Two comparable groups of open-heart patients were given 0.79 and 1.37 mg of protamine for neutralization of exogenous heparin. The influence of protamine dosage on postoperative bleeding was then evaluated. The lower protamine dosage was associated with a more rapid neutralization of heparin, reduced postoperative blood loss, and a reduced incidence of exploratory thoracotomy for excessive bleeding.