title: Low-molecular-weight heparins for the treatment of venous thromboembolism.
abstract: Recent studies have indicated that certain low-molecular-weight heparins given subcutaneously may replace continuous intravenous unfractionated heparin for the treatment of venous thromboembolism. Low-molecular-weight heparins have a predictably high absorption rate when given subcutaneously and they do not require laboratory monitoring. These characteristics of low-molecular-weight heparin therapy raise the possibility of treating uncomplicated patients with deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism in the outpatient setting. The advantages to the patient of avoiding in-hospital care and its associated hazards are obvious. Outpatient low-molecular-weight heparin will likely prove to be highly cost-effective. At the present time, the finding associated with an individual low-molecular-weight heparin preparation cannot be extrapolated to different low-molecular-weight heparins and each must be evaluated in separate clinical trials. Recent randomized clinical trials indicate that low-molecular-weight heparin may be safer and more effective than continuous intravenous unfractionated heparin in the treatment of proximal venous thrombosis. A decreased mortality rate, which was particularly striking in patients with metastatic carcinoma, was unexpected and requires confirmation in further prospective randomized trials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Hull
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Pineo
mesh_terms: D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight