Is fixed-dose, subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparin as effective and safe as adjusted-dose, intravenous unfractionated heparin for the initial management of venous thromboembolism?
Fixed-dose subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparin is an effective and safe alternative to intravenous unfractionated heparin for the initial management of venous thromboembolism.
Fixed-dose, subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparin is as effective and safe as adjusted-dose, intravenous unfractionated heparin for the initial management of venous thromboembolism, regardless of whether the patient has pulmonary embolism or a history of venous thromboembolism.
The Columbus Investigators (1997) studied this question.