Bemiparin versus unfractionated heparin as bridging therapy in the perioperative management of patients on vitamin K antagonists: the BERTA study.

Background And Objective: The management of patients on vitamin K antagonist therapy who require an invasive procedure is problematic. A randomised, controlled, double-blind clinical trial was designed to compare the efficacy and safety of bemiparin, a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), with unfractionated heparin (UFH) as bridging therapy: the BERTA (BEmiparin Randomised Trial on bridging Anticoagulants) study.

Methods: Two hundred and six patients on long-term oral anticoagulation therapy (OAT) requiring an invasive procedure were randomized to receive bridging therapy with bemiparin + matching placebo or UFH.