Comparison between activated clotting time and anti-activated factor X activity for the monitoring of unfractionated heparin therapy in patients with aortic aneurysm undergoing an endovascular procedure

In this retrospective study of patients with aortic aneurysm undergoing an endovascular procedure, ACT and anti-Xa measurements showed poor correlation; only increased peak anti-Xa activity was independently associated with periprocedural bleeding, not increased ACT. Our findings also suggest that monitoring of UFH therapy with anti-Xa during aortic endograft procedures may reduce total UFH use. We further speculate that this approach could reduce periprocedural bleeding.