title: Treatment of proximal deep-vein thrombosis using subcutaneously administered calcium heparin: comparison with intravenous sodium heparin.
abstract: In a prospective, randomized clinical trial we compared the efficacy of subcutaneously (SC) administered (every 8 h) calcium heparin to intravenous (IV) sodium heparin in the treatment of proximal deep-vein thrombosis (DVT). A secondary objective was to give enough heparin to achieve a therapeutic anticoagulant effect by the end of the first 24 h. Five of 36 patients (14%) in the SC heparin group failed to achieve a therapeutic anticoagulant effect by the end of the first 24 h compared to 2 of 23 patients (9%) in the IV group (p = NS; 95% CI for true difference = -11.7% to 22.1%). Two of 31 patients (6.5%) in the SC group had venographic evidence of clot propagation compared to 1 of 19 patients (5.3%) in the IV group (p = NS; 95% CI for true difference = -12.4% to 14.8%). The rate of major hemorrhagic complications was similar in each group (approximately 15%). We conclude: (1) using a large initial dose of SC heparin, a therapeutic anticoagulant effect can be readily achieved within 24 h, and (2) combining the results of this trial with previous studies, the efficacy of SC administered calcium appears to be comparable to IV sodium heparin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis Medical Center.
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Daschbach
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: McGahan
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Keck
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Parsons
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Hartling
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mungall
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: C006871:calcium heparin; D006493:Heparin