Prevention of pulmonary emboli in a respiratory intensive care unit: efficacy of low-dose heparin.
Ninety-eight patients admitted to our respiratory intensive care unit during a one-year period were compared retrospectively with 99 well-matched patients admitted during a second one-year period. The use of prophylactic low-dose heparin in the second year was associated with a significant decrease in pulmonary emboli documented by ventilation-perfusion scan, pulmonary angiography, and autopsy. No specific bleeding complications could be directly attributed to the use of low-dose heparin. The frequency and severity of gastrointestinal hemorrhage as determined by hemoglobin fall and transfusion requirements were not significantly affected by the prophylactic use of low-dose heparin. Low-dose heparin appears to be effective and safe in respiratory intensive care unit patients in the prevention of pulmonary emboli.
D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000503:physiopathology; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000503:physiopathology; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000503:physiopathology; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D006493:Heparin