Low-dose heparin thromboembolism prophylaxis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine a rational approach to heparin dosing for thromboembolism prophylaxis.


METHODS
Literature review.


RESULTS
Three commonly used heparin dosing regimens were identified: (1) standard low-dose heparin (5000 U administered subcutaneously 2-3 times per day); (2) adjusted-dose heparin (adequate to elevate the activated partial thromboplastin time to 5 seconds above the upper limit of normal); and (3) low-molecular-weight heparin (30 mg subcutaneously twice daily without monitoring).


CONCLUSIONS
Adjusted-dose heparin thromboembolism prophylaxis is both the safest and most reliable method currently available.
Owings
J T
JT
Department of Surgery, University of California, Davis, Medical Center, Sacramento, USA.
Blaisdell
F W
FW
D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D010314:Partial Thromboplastin Time; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control*
D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D006493:Heparin