Summary
The effect on the bleeding time of heparin, followed by an infusion with desmopressin
(DDAVP) 0.3 Μg/kg or placebo in a randomized, double-blind set-up, was investigated
in 20 patients treated for acute venous thromboembolism. The bleeding time was on
the average prolonged by 90% (95% confidence interval 46% -134%) after at least 1
day of treatment with heparin. At that point DDAVP shortened the bleeding time by
23% with a confidence interval of −35% to −11% whereas the effect of placebo was −2%
with a confidence interval of −23% to +20%. There was also a shortening of the APTT
after DDAVP but not after placebo. It is concluded that DDAVP induces a partial reversal
of the effect of heparin on the bleeding time, and that DDAVP should be tried in case
of hemorrhagic problems.
