A comparison of low-molecular-weight heparin and combined therapy of low-molecular-weight heparin with an anti-inflammatory agent in the treatment of superficial vein thrombosis.
OBJECTIVE
The optimal treatment of superficial vein thrombosis (SVT) of the leg has not been determined yet. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) as compared with combined therapy of LMWH with an anti-inflammatory agent in treatment of SVT.


METHODS
Fifty patients with SVT of the greater saphenous vein were randomly assigned to be treated with Ca-nadroparin 190 IUAxa/kg in a single dose or with same dose of Ca-nadroparin and 60 mg oral acemetacine twice daily for 10 days. The efficacy of the two treatments to relieve symptoms and signs was evaluated by using visual analogue scale.


RESULTS
Significant improvements were achieved for both groups after the treatment in terms of all four symptoms (P < 0.001). Treatment scores were in favour of LMWH with anti-inflammatory agent treatment group to relieve all four symptoms. The most significant and remarkable results obtained were for the reduction of pain and local tenderness (P < 0.05). No patient experienced major complications or mortality in either group.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest that the combined therapy of LMWH with an anti-inflammatory agent is more effective than LMWH. It may be an important option in the standard treatment of SVT.
Uncu
H
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Cankaya caddesi No. 16/5, 06550 Cankaya, Ankara, Turkey. drhakanuncu@yahoo.com
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017762:Nadroparin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D017762:Nadroparin; C026784:acemetacin; D007213:Indomethacin