title: Prevention of postoperative deep vein thrombosis by two different heparin types.
abstract: The effectiveness of two different heparin types in preventing deep vein thrombosis after surgery was studied in 173 patients, randomly assigned to treatment by a new low molecular weight (LMWH) heparin or trade calcium heparin (CH). Both drugs were administered subcutaneously, 2 h before surgery and for 7 days after, at dose of 7,500 anti activated factor X Units once a day in low molecular weight heparin group, or 5,000 International Units t.i.d. in calcium heparin group. Both activated factor X inhibition and activated partial thromboplastin time evaluations were performed before the surgery, and 3 and 7 days after, to monitor drug effects. Results clearly demonstrated that low molecular weight heparin exerts a marked inhibition on plasma activated factor X. On the contrary, calcium heparin was less powerful in inhibiting this coagulation factor. Both drugs revealed a lower effectiveness in increasing activated partial thromboplastin time. Efficacy in preventing postoperative thrombo-embolism appeared about 3 times higher for the new low molecular weight heparin, despite the lower daily administration numbers. No major side effects related to drug were observed in both treatment groups; also hemorrhage frequency was the same. No differences related to the operation type were found in preventive actions of both drugs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Institute of Semeiotic Surgery, University of Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Catania
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Salanitri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000209:etiology; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D006493:Heparin