Subcutaneous versus intravenous administration of heparin in the treatment of deep vein thrombosis; which do patients prefer? A randomized cross-over study.
Patient preference for intravenous or subcutaneous heparin in the treatment of deep venous thrombosis was assessed in a randomized cross-over study. Twenty patients with venographically proven deep venous thrombosis were randomized to receive subcutaneous or intravenous heparin for 3 days followed by 3 days of the other treatment. Discomfort at the injection site, assessed by visual analogue scale, was significantly less for the subcutaneous than the intravenous administration route (P < 0.001), mobility was thought to be better when receiving subcutaneous heparin (P < 0.005) and patients' overall preference was for subcutaneous treatment (P < 0.001).
Department of Cardiology and Haematology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK.
A M
AM
Robinson
K A
KA
McLean
M
M
Greaves
K S
KS
Channer
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology*; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000188:drug therapy*
D006493:Heparin