Full dose subcutaneous heparin therapy.
Anticoagulation is used extensively for the treatment and prevention of thromboembolic disease. Full dose anticoagulation with heparin is usually administered intravenously via continuous 24-hour infusion to avoid complications with intermittent intravenous administration. Continuous intravenous therapy is costly and cumbersome for nurses and patients. Subcutaneous administration of heparin in full dosage offers an attractive therapeutic alternative. This study examines the safety, efficacy, and cost considerations of this form of therapy. Fifteen patients admitted to the hospital for myocardial infarction were evaluated. After the patients were transferred from the cardiac intensive care unit, intravenous heparin was discontinued, while therapeutic anticoagulation was maintained via the subcutaneous route. Complications were limited to local hematoma formation. A cost comparison revealed substantial savings with subcutaneous administration.
G
G
Hollander
R
R
Rothenberg
A
A
Greengart
J
J
Shani
E
E
Lichstein
D000368:Aged; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications*; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control*
D006493:Heparin