unfractionated heparin + warfarin

**Unfractionated heparin + warfarin** is a combination therapy using two well-established anticoagulant agents for the prevention and treatment of thrombotic disorders such as deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and systemic embolism associated with atrial fibrillation or mechanical heart valves. Unfractionated heparin acts immediately via intravenous infusion or subcutaneous injection by potentiating antithrombin, which results in rapid inhibition of multiple activated clotting factors, especially thrombin (factor IIa) and factor Xa[3][4][6]. Warfarin is administered orally, and its effect is delayed, as it inhibits the vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1, limiting the regeneration of vitamin K, thereby reducing the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors II, VII, IX, and X, and regulatory proteins C and S[2]. The combination is commonly used as a *bridging anticoagulation regimen*: unfractionated heparin provides immediate anticoagulation while warfarin is initiated and titrated to the desired therapeutic INR range. Once warfarin reaches therapeutic effect, unfractionated heparin is discontinued[1].

Other names

heparin-Bayer-deep vein thrombosisunfractionated heparin followed by warfarinUFH + warfarin