Heparin therapy adjusted for body weight.
A linear relation between heparin concentrations and the dosage of heparin/kg body weight (r = 0.91, N = 47) was found after bolus injections of 2,500, 5,000, or 10,000 U heparin; the heparin concentrations agreed with plasma distribution. The maintenance therapy showed linearity between heparin concentrations and the dosage of heparin/kg body weight and 24 hours; however, the sensitivity for maintenance therapy differed between patients. The mean dosage required for maintaining heparin at 0.5 U/mL was 400 but ranged between 250 and 600 U heparin/kg body weight and 24 hours. A bolus dose of 75 U heparin/kg body weight, followed by a maintenance dose of 400 U heparin/kg body weight and 24 hours, showed therapeutic heparin response in 78% of patients, however, heparin monitoring two times daily is necessary for adjustment of dosage.
D001835:Body Weight; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006207:Half-Life; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous
D006493:Heparin