What is bridge therapy as it relates to warfrin and dental procedures and what is helpern or hepburn?

Blood thinners: Heparin is a fast acting blood thinner given by IV (there is an injection version too). Warfarin is a pill version of blood thiner that doesn't work instantly and has to build up in your blood. If you need to be on a blood thinner without any lapse, then while the warfarin builds up in your system, we might recommend Heparin of a similar faster acting alternative.

Bridging: Commonly patients on Coumadin (warfarin) will be taken off of it before an invasive procedure. Depending on the reason you are anticoagulated you may be "bridged, " meaning kept on a different anticoagulant that wears off quicker than coumadin. Usually that is Lovenox (enoxaparin), which is similar to Heparin and is a shot a day. It gives more consistent dosing than unfractionated heparin.

Waiting for warfarin: Warfarin is the most-available long-term pill used for anticoagulation. Until you become "therapeutic, " the warfarin actually makes you more likely to form clots. Heparin will generally be given as IV drip until warfarin kicks in after a few days. Now, single-dose injectables like Lovenox (enoxaparin) are used. Patients can administer the shots themselves at home instead of remaining in the hospital.

Bridge therapy: This refers to switching from one blood thinner to another here is a link that discusses it http://pfrc.Med.Nyu.Edu/handouts/pdf/all/pfrc10-000013.Pdf.