title: Randomised controlled trial for efficacy of unfractionated heparin (UFH) versus low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in thrombo-prophylaxis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study if low dose Unfractionated heparin (UFH) is as effective and safe as Low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and also economical as a prophylactic agent for venous thromboembolism in medically ill patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective double blind randomised controlled trial consisting of 92 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria who were admitted to Bangalore Baptist Hospital, Bengaluru, between March 2008 and July 2009 were randomised to receive Unfractionated heparin (UFH) or Low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The result based on intention to treat (ITT)analysis with best outcome scenario: in the UFH arm there were 47 (97.9%) patients who had not developed DVT/PE as compared to 42 (95.5%) in the LMWH arm. The difference in proportion of patients who had not developed DVT/PE between UFH and LMWH was 2.4% (-5.0, 9.8). The results based on per protocol analysis: In the UFH arm there were 44 (97.8%) patients who had not developed DVT/PE as compared to 39 (95.1%) in the LMWH arm. The difference in proportion of patients who had not developed DVT/PE between the UFH and LMWH arm was 2.7% (-5.2, 10.5). Patients on UFH had higher major bleeding complications 4 (8.9%) as compared to 0 in LMWH arm. But with respect to other complications like thrombocytopenia (HIT) and mild or minimal bleeding both arms were comparable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has demonstrated that low dose UFH is as effective as LMWH as a prophylactic agent for venous thromboembolism in medically ill patients and economical also.
authors: Sandeep V
authors: SV
authors: Ishi
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Lakshmi
authors: Shailesh T
authors: ST
authors: Kakde
authors: Kirti C
authors: KC
authors: Sabnis
authors: Manjeera
authors: M
authors: Jagannati
authors: T S
authors: TS
authors: Girish
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Jeyaseelan
authors: A M
authors: AM
authors: Cherian
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D017984:Enoxaparin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D057194:Intention to Treat Analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D017984:Enoxaparin; D006493:Heparin