Objective This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of using dalteparin instead of UFH in selective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).

Methods In this prospective, open-label, multicentre trial, from Jan. 2006 to Apr. 2008, 212 patients with CHD were enrolled. Patients without prior SC dalteparin therapy or those for patients who came to the catheterisation laboratory between 8 and 12 h after the last subcutaneous dose, designed to receive 60 IU/kg IV dalteparin 5 min before PCI, and no additional dalteparin was given to patients who came to the catheterisation laboratory within 8 h of the last subcutaneous dose. The primary efficacy outcome was the incidence of death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), and urgent revascularization for repeating ischaemia. The primary safety outcome was the incidence of bleeding not related to coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

Results One patient developed acute thrombosis during PCI but not resulted in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In-hospital and during follow-up within 35 days, no patient experienced death or non-fatal myocardial infarction and urgent target vessel revascularization, Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) major bleeding and minor bleeding occurred in 0% and 4.2% of patients respectively.

Conclusions It may be safe and efficient using dalteparin instead of UFH in selective percutaneous coronary intervention of patients with coronary heart disease.