Update on the clinical use of the low-molecular-weight heparin, parnaparin.
Parnaparin is a low-molecular-weight heparin that has widely shown its efficacy and safety in prevention of venous thromboembolism, in the treatment of chronic venous disorders, and in the treatment of venous and arterial (stable and unstable angina, acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction) thrombosis. Parnaparin at the respective dosages of 3200, 4250, 6400, or 12800 IUaXa for a period ranging from 3 to 5 days to 6 months, is usually administered subcutaneously by means of once-daily regimen and is better tolerated than unfractionated heparin at the injection site. In the variety of commercially available low-molecular-weight heparins, parnaparin represents a useful therapeutic option, even though little evidence is available comparing the superiority or the equivalent efficacy and safety of parnaparin to that of the unfractionated heparin or placebo. This review summarizes the available literature on the use of parnaparin in different settings of cardiovascular diseases, including papers published during the past year and ongoing studies.
Unit of Angiology, Clinical Epidemiology Group, University Hospital of Padua, Italy. giuseppe.camporese@sanita.padova.it
Giuseppe
G
Camporese
Enrico
E
Bernardi
Franco
F
Noventa
D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000188:drug therapy; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000188:drug therapy
D000925:Anticoagulants; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; C080945:parnaparin