Comparative double-blind study of two dosage regimens of low-molecular weight heparin in elderly patients with a fracture of the neck of the femur.
A randomized double-blind study comparing the efficacy and safety of two different dosage regimens of a low-MW heparin, Enoxaparin (Lovenox) 20 mg twice (group A) or 40 mg once (group B), was carried out in 103 elderly patients with a fracture of the neck of the femur. Distal and proximal thrombosis occurred in 18.3% of patients in group A and in 10.4% in group B. No major hemorrhagic complication was observed, except for two hematomas in each group. This trial suggests that a total daily dose of 40 mg of Enoxaparin can be effective in the prevention of deep vein thrombosis in elderly surgically treated patients and does not involve a major risk of bleeding.
Barsotti
J
J
Clinique Traumatologique et Orthopédique, CHU Trousseau, Tours, France.
Gruel
Y
Y
Rosset
P
P
Favard
L
L
Dabo
B
B
Andreu
J
J
Delahousse
B
B
Leroy
J
J
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D001858:Bone Nails; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005265:Femoral Neck Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006622:Hip Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010690:Phlebography; D010992:Plethysmography, Impedance; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control*
D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight