title: Low-molecular-weight heparins versus unfractionated heparin in the treatment of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
abstract: In the United States, there are approximately 217,000 patients with deep-vein thrombosis hospitalized each year. The cause for these thrombotic events include surgery, trauma, malignancy, hereditary thrombotic disorders, stroke, spinal cord injury, and idiopathic. Frequently, a number of these patients are cared for in rehabilitation units or centers to improve their functional status. This rehabilitation process is often interrupted with the development of deep vein thrombosis and or pulmonary embolism. These patients are placed on bedrest and, often, are transferred to an acute care hospital to receive continuous infusion unfractionated heparin with a targeted activated partial thromboplastin time of 1.5-2.5 times the baseline value and warfarin to achieve an international normalized ratio of 2-3. Recently, the low-molecular-weight heparins have been shown to be as or more effective than unfractionated heparin, have less major bleeding complications, and do not require laboratory monitoring of coagulation tests to adjust medications. The purpose of this article is to review the efficacy and safety of low-molecular-weight heparins and provide physiatrists with a rationale approach for managing patients with deep vein thrombosis and or pulmonary embolism on their respective units.
authors.affiliation: Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, USA.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Merli
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D010810:Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine / Q000379:methods; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D006493:Heparin