Use of low-molecular-weight heparins in the treatment and secondary prevention of cancer-associated thrombosis.
OBJECTIVE
To provide oncology nurses with an understanding of the differences between low-molecular-weight heparins and unfractionated heparin, key clinical trial data, and current treatment guidelines.


METHODS
Primary and tertiary literature and the authors' clinical experience.


CONCLUSIONS
The latest American College of Chest Physicians guidelines recommend low-molecular weight heparin for at least the first 3 to 6 months of long-term treatment for most patients with cancer and deep vein thrombosis (DVT; grade 1A).


CONCLUSIONS
Anticoagulant therapy has been found to be the most effective form of treatment for venous thromboembolism in patients with cancer, and oncology nurses play a critical role in the choice of agents, the dispensing of drugs, and the monitoring of ongoing therapy. Vital to that role are an ability to differentiate among the available agents and apply the current practice guidelines based on the clinical trial data.
Grande
Carolyn
C
Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. carolyngrande@comcast.net
Caparro
Millie
M
D000328:Adult; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011379:Prognosis; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing
D000925:Anticoagulants; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight