During angioplasty, activated clotting time (ACT) measurements are recommended to attest the correct anticoagulation level and if anticoagulation levels are suboptimal after the two first boluses, additional unfractionated heparin (UFH) injections are recommended until obtention of a therapeutic ACT values (250-350s).~The study hypothesis was that the procoagulant effect of the tobacco may be responsible of reduced anticoagulation levels after standardized UFH administrations and thus presenting an UFH resistance requiring increased UFH dosages to obtain a therapeutic ACT values.
analyzing influence of smoking on patients anti-coagulation status as assessed by ACT measurements during coronary angioplasty