title: Low molecular weight heparin (enoxaparin) versus dextran in the prevention of early occlusion following arterial bypass surgery distal to the groin.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to compare the effect of perioperative dextran and low molecular weight heparin on early graft patency after femorodistal bypass surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  prospective randomised multicentre study.
  
  
  METHODS
  three hundred and fourteen patients were randomised to dextran 70 or the low molecular weight heparin enoxaparin during and after femorodistal bypass surgery. Patency was evaluated at days 1, 5-7, 30 and 90.
  
  
  RESULTS
  there was no difference in patency at any time point between the two regimens, the crude 90 days patency being 88 and 83%, respectively. There were significantly more patients with heart failure in the dextran group (12.8 vs 0.7%), with other side effects being evenly distributed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  dextran 70 and the low molecular weight heparin enoxaparin have the same effect on 90 days femorodistal graft patency, but care must be taken using the dextran to patients with a potential heart insufficiency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University Hospital, 5-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Logason
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bergqvist
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003911:Dextrans / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017984:Enoxaparin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014654:Vascular Patency
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D003911:Dextrans; D017984:Enoxaparin