Low-dose heparin in proximal femoral fractures. Failure to prevent deep-vein thrombosis.
The effect of heparin, 5000 units every 8 hours, on deep venous thrombosis in patients with proximal femoral fractures was investigated in a controlled, double blind, randomised study. Heparin or placebo was administered as soon as possible after the fracture, and before 6 hours had passed, and was continued for 14 days. The diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis was made using daily I125 fibrinogen scans. A total of 130 patients endured the trial and the results were registered on a sequential diagram. This showed that the 0-hypothesis could not be rejected, and that consequently no difference in the frequency of deep-vein thrombosis was detected.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000150:complications*; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011897:Random Allocation; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000517:prevention & control*
D006493:Heparin