title: The role of low-molecular-weight heparin in cardiovascular diseases.
abstract: Unfractionated heparin continues to have important limitations in clinical practice. It has an inconsistent anticoagulant effect, needs frequent monitoring, and is inactivated by several plasma proteins. Low-molecular-weight heparins have a more predictable anticoagulant effect than unfractionated heparin, are easier to administer, and may not require monitoring. The anticoagulation effect of low-molecular-weight heparins is caused by a combination of inhibition of thrombin generation and inhibition of thrombin activity. Low-molecular-weight heparins have now been evaluated for a number of cardiovascular conditions and have been found to be safe and effective. We review and summarize the existing data regarding the use of low-molecular-weight heparins in cardiovascular diseases, including venous thromboembolism, percutaneous coronary interventions, and acute coronary syndromes such as ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
authors.forename: Debabrata
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mukherjee
authors.forename: Eric J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Topol
mesh_terms: D000789:Angina, Unstable / Q000188:drug therapy; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000379:methods; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D039661:Integrin beta3 / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy; D040201:Platelet Membrane Glycoprotein IIb / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D039661:Integrin beta3; D040201:Platelet Membrane Glycoprotein IIb