title: Efficacy and safety of a low-molecular-weight heparin and standard unfractionated heparin for prophylaxis of postoperative venous thromboembolism: European multicenter trial.
abstract: A randomized, double-blind multicenter trial was performed to compare the safety and efficacy of a new low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) (LU 47311, Clivarine) and standard unfractionated heparin for the prophylaxis of postoperative venous thromboembolism. Altogether 1351 patients scheduled to undergo abdominal surgery were included. Main outcome measures included the incidence of thromboembolic events (deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or both) and bleeding complications, including wound hematoma. A total of 655 patients received 1750 anti-Xa IU of LMWH plus a placebo injection daily; 677 patients received 5000 IU of unfractionated heparin (UFH) twice a day. Both drugs were found to be equally effective, as 4.7% of patients in the LMWH group and 4.3% in the UFH group developed postoperative thromboembolic complications. However, the incidence of bleeding complications was significantly reduced in the LMWH group: 55 (8.3%) patients in the LMWH group and 80 (11.8%) in the UFH group developed bleeding complications, a relative risk (RR) of 0.70 (95% CI 0.51-0.97;p = 0.03); wound hematoma occurred in 29 (4.4%) of the LMWH group compared with 55 (7.7%) in those in the UFH group for an RR of 0.57 (95% CI 0.37-0.88;p = 0.01). This study confirmed that a very low dose of 1750 anti-Xa IU daily of this new LMWH is as effective as 10,000 IU of UFH for preventing postoperative deep vein thrombosis. At this dose its administration is associated with a significant reduction in the risk of bleeding including wound hematoma.
authors.affiliation: Thrombosis Research Institute, Emmanuel Kaye Building, Manresa Road, Chelsea SW3 6LR, London, UK.
authors.forename: V V
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Kakkar
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Boeckl
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Boneu
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bordenave
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Brehm
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brücke
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Coccheri
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Galland
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Haas
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jarrige
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Koppenhagen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: LeQuerrec
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Parraguette
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Prandoni
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Roder
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roos
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rüschemeyer
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Siewert
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vinazzer
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wenzel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D006493:Heparin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; C094240:reviparin; D006493:Heparin