title: Comparing safety of heparin as continuous intravenous infusion and multiple subcutaneous injections.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this study, safety of two methods of unfractionated heparin administration for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis was compared in critically ill surgical patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 50 surgical critically ill patients randomly assigned to either subcutaneous unfractionated heparin 5000 units three-times a day or continuous intravenous infusion; 625 IU/h. During the intensive care unit (ICU) stay, patients' hemodynamic parameters, laboratory tests, symptoms and signs of thrombosis and bleeding were monitored closely.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the patients' follow-up, no episode of bleeding or venous thromboembolism event was recorded. The differences in ICU and hospital stays were not significantly different between the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are limited evidences regarding safety and efficacy of continuous intravenous infusion of unfractionated heparin for thromboprophylaxis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mandana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Izadpanah
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Khalili
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mostafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mohammadi
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D006493:Heparin
keywords: critically ill; heparin; surgical patients; thromboprophylaxis