Low molecular weight heparins.
Since its discovery, nearly 90 years, heparin has been used successfully for the treatment of thromboembolic processes. However, therapy with heparin has several important limitations. Most importantly, the poor predictability of its anticoagulant effects has led to the development of the low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs), which are derived from unfractionated heparin and appear to have pharmacologic advantages, require no laboratory monitoring and are more predictable than their parent compounds. LMWHs have been used for several years in the treatment of venous thromboembolic disorders. More recently, the LMWHs have been used to treat patients with acute coronary interventions. As the results of new studies are revealed, we will learn whether the use LMWH can be extended to all disorders where unfractionated heparin is currently the standard therapy.
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
O M
OM
Aguilar
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NS
Kleiman
D000818:Animals; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000191:economics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000191:economics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000503:physiopathology; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics / Q000503:physiopathology
D000925:Anticoagulants; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight