Progress in Preventing Venous Thromboembolism

Despite occasional disagreement,1 small subcutaneous doses of heparin are widely used to prevent venous thromboembolism in patients at risk. A large literature proclaims the efficacy of giving 5000 units of heparin two or three times daily to reduce the rate of venous thrombosis, and there is much, although less, evidence that such a program also prevents pulmonary embolism, including the large and often fatal emboli that arise from large veins in the thigh or pelvis.2 The routine use of "mini-heparin" in general surgical patients appears to be cost effective, with an estimated marginal cost of $870 (in 1980 dollars) per . . .