Heparin Prophylaxis for Medical Patients?

Editorials1 May 1998Heparin Prophylaxis for Medical Patients?Frank A. Lederle, MDFrank A. Lederle, MDMinneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Minneapolis, MN 55417Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-128-9-199805010-00011 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Pulmonary embolism causes or contributes to 200 000 deaths each year in the United States and is considered the most common preventable cause of hospital deaths 1. Because the first manifestation of venous thromboembolism is often fatal pulmonary embolism and because most deaths occur within the first half hour, mortality is not sufficiently improved by therapy begun after diagnosis. Prophylactic measures against deep venous thrombosis and associated pulmonary embolism have therefore been advocated for many groups of hospitalized patients.Most studies and recommendations on prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism have involved low-dose heparin. It is available either in the standard unfractionated ...References1. Clagett GP, Anderson FA Jr, Heit J, Levine MN, Salzman EW, Wheeler HB. Prevention of venous thromboembolism. Chest. 1995; 108(4 Suppl):312S-334S. Google Scholar2. Harenberg J, Kallenbach B, Martin U, Dempfle CE, Zimmermann R, Kubler W, et al. Randomized controlled study of heparin and low molecular weight heparin for prevention of deep-vein thrombosis in medical patients. Thromb Res. 1990; 59:639-50. Google Scholar3. Lechler E, Schramm W, Flosbach CW. The venous thrombotic risk in non-surgical patients: epidemiological data and efficacy/safety profile of a low-molecular-weight heparin (enoxaparin). The PRIME Study Group. Haemostasis. 1996; 26 Suppl 2:49-56. 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Prevention of deep vein thrombosis in elderly medical in-patients by a low molecular weight heparin: a randomized double-blind trial. Haemostasis. 1986; 16:159-64. Google Scholar22. Caulin C. The influence of CY 216 administration on hospital mortality of general medical in-patients: international collaborative double-blind study: methods and preliminary results. In: Breddin K, Fareed J, Samama M, eds. Fraxiparine: First International Symposium: Analytical and Structural Data, Pharmacology, Clinical Trials. Stuttgart: Schattauer; 1989:149-54. Google Scholar23. Graves EJ. National Hospital Discharge Survey: annual summary 1993. Vital Health Stat 13. 1995; 121:1-63. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Frank A. Lederle, MDAffiliations: Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Minneapolis, MN 55417Corresponding Author: Frank A. Lederle, MD, Department of Medicine (III-0), Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55417. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byBenefits and risks of low molecular weight heparin in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsEffectiveness and safety of thromboprophylaxis with enoxaparin in medical inpatientsPROphylaxis for ThromboEmbolism in Critical Care Trial protocol and analysis planIncidence and Clinical Predictors of Deep Vein Thrombosis in Patients Hospitalized With Heart Failure in JapanRisque thromboembolique veineux au cours des affections médicales aiguës. 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Mission impossible? 1 May 1998Volume 128, Issue 9Page: 768-770KeywordsAspirinDeep vein thrombosisHeparinLow molecular weight heparinMortalityMyocardial infarctionProphylaxisPulmonary embolismRandomized trialsVenous thromboembolism ePublished: 15 August 2000 Issue Published: 1 May 1998 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 1998 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...