title: Heparin and related drugs for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis: subcutaneous or intravenous continuous infusion?
abstract: In this article, the most evidenced approaches of unfractionated heparin administration for prevention of venous thromboembolism in medical and surgical hospitalized patients will be reviewed. Present data were collected by searching Scopus, PubMed, MEDLINE, Science direct, Clinical trials and Cochrane database systematic reviews. Subcutaneous low doses of unfractionated heparin (10000-15000 IU) in two or three divided doses per day are commonly administrated for venous thromboembolism prevention in different medical and surgical populations. In some populations such as obese surgical and critically ill patients, due to altered pharmacokinetics behavior of unfractionated heparin, continuous intravenous infusion of the low doses of unfractionated heparin has been proposed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, PO Box 14155/6451, Enghelab Avenue, Tehran 1417614411, Iran.
authors.forename: Mandana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Izadpanah
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Khalili
authors.forename: Simin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dashti-Khavidaki
authors.forename: Mostafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mohammadi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000379:methods; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D006493:Heparin
keywords: heparin; prophylaxis; venous thromboembolism