[Multicenter, prospective study comparing enoxaparin with unfractionated heparin in the treatment of submassive pulmonary thromboembolism].
OBJECTIVE
To compare the safety and efficacy of enoxaparin and unfractionated heparin in the treatment of submassive pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE).


METHODS
Fifty-six patients with PTE who did not need fibrinolytic treatment were enrolled prospectively. The patients were randomly assigned to 2 treatment groups: Group A received enoxaparin (1 mg/kg every 12 hours) and Group B received adjusted doses of unfractionated heparin. The oral anticoagulant therapy was started on confirmation of the diagnosis and continued for 6 months. Incidences of recurrence of thromboembolism and of severe bleeding were assessed at the end of this period.


RESULTS
Six patients were withdrawn from the study. Twenty-nine of the 50 remaining patients were in Group A (enoxaparin) and 21 in Group B (unfractionated heparin). A recurrence of thromboembolism was diagnosed in 3 patients from Group A (10.7%) and 2 patients from Group B (9.5%). There were no significant differences. Two patients died, one death being attributed to bleeding secondary to the oral anticoagulant treatment (Group A) and the other to a process unrelated to PTE.


CONCLUSIONS
Enoxaparin seems to be as effective and safe as unfractionated heparin in the initial treatment of PTE.
Pérez de Llano
L A
LA
Sección de Neumología. Hospital Xeral-Calde. Lugo. España.
Baloira Villar
A
A
Veres Racamonde
A
A
Veiga
F
F
Golpe Gómez
R
R
Pajuelo Fernández
F
F
D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017984:Enoxaparin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D006493:Heparin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012008:Recurrence; D012449:Safety; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000925:Anticoagulants; D017984:Enoxaparin; D006493:Heparin