Validation of a dosing regimen for fixed-dose, weight-adjusted, subcutaneous unfractionated heparin for the acute treatment of venous thrombo-embolism in a population from a resource-constrained environment.
A study in Canada and New Zealand (Kearon et al.) suggested that fixed-dose unmonitored subcutaneous (SC) unfractionated heparin (UFH) is as effective and safe as low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) for the acute treatment of venous thrombo-embolism. While this trial has limitations, it provides evidence to support the use of SC UFH in a resource-constrained environment. However, because public sector patients with VTE in South Africa often have multiple co-morbidities and are thinner and younger than those in that study, the local validity of the published dosing regimen is unclear.
Munsamy
J I
JI
Kertland
H
H
Parrish
A
A
D000328:Adult; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D013019:South Africa; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000188:drug therapy*
D006493:Heparin