title: Prophylaxis of postoperative thromboembolism with low molecular weight heparins.
abstract: To evaluate the thromboprophylactic use of low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs), publications from 27 orthopaedic trials and 35 studies of patients undergoing general or gynaecological surgery were scrutinized and subjected to a partial meta-analysis. In orthopaedic surgery, LMWHs were superior to placebo or dextran and at least as efficient as unfractionated heparin in the prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Compared with unfractionated heparin, one of the LMWH preparations significantly reduced the total incidence of DVT. The rate of non-fatal pulmonary embolism was 0.49 per cent in patients receiving LMWH and 1.22 per cent in controls. Seven orthopaedic patients (0.15 per cent) died from pulmonary embolism, none of whom received LMWH. In general surgery, the LMWHs were at least as efficient as unfractionated heparin, with a trend towards a lower risk of pulmonary embolism with the former. Compared with unfractionated heparin, LMWHs did not reduce the postoperative mortality rate, nor did they cause haemorrhage. LMWHs provide safe and efficient prophylaxis by administration once daily.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Hvidovre Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: L N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Jørgensen
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wille-Jørgensen
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hauch
mesh_terms: D003911:Dextrans; D004087:Dihydroergotamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000601:surgery; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009985:Orthopedics; D010919:Placebos; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D003911:Dextrans; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D010919:Placebos; D004087:Dihydroergotamine; D006493:Heparin