Vitamin K Helps Decrease Bleeding

Clinical Study Title:
Vitamin K reduces bleeding in left ventricular assist device recipients.

Plain English Summary:

This study looked at the use of vitamin K supplements prior to surgery on the recovery after the surgery. Participants in this study had an implant of left ventricular assist device. A total of 66 participants were examined, and 39 of them had received the vitamin K supplement before surgery. Those participants who were given the vitamin K preoperatively had less postoperative bleeding. This suggests the use of vitamin K supplements to help improve coagulation action during and after major surgeries.

Authors:
Kaplon RJ. Gillinov AM. Smedira NG. Kottke-Marchant K. Wang IW. Goormastic M. McCarthy PM.

Institution:
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Country of Publication:
United States

Source:
Journal of Heart & Lung Transplantation. 18(4):346-50, 1999 Apr.