title: Low molecular weight heparin and unfractionated heparin for prevention of thrombo-embolism in general surgery: a meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials.
abstract: Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), unfractionated heparin (UFH) and warfarin were compared with respect to efficacy and safety in the prevention of thrombo-embolism in general surgery. Meta-analysis (MA) with a priori definition of the MA protocol was used to combine the results from randomised trials with patients who underwent general surgery and deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis with LMWH, UFH or warfarin. Forty-four studies were identified for assessment and 33 were included, however, none for warfarin. For efficacy (DVT and pulmonary embolism) and major bleeding, no significant difference between the LMWH- and UFH-treated groups was demonstrated. The relative risk of minor bleedings for LMWH versus UFH was 0.75 (0.64-0.88; 95% confidence interval) and is significant (p < 0.05). Within the limitations of the MA, LMWH and UFH did not differ significantly in terms of prevention of thrombo-embolism, but LMWH had a significantly better safety profile. On this basis, LMWH may be preferable to UFH in the prevention of thrombo-embolism in general surgery.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Medical Informatics and Biostatistics, Riehen, Switzerland.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Palmer
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schramm
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kirchhof
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bergemann
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; 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; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D006493:Heparin