Low molecular weight heparin for intravenous drug users with deep vein thrombosis

Report by Michael Russell, Medical Student
Checked by Deborah Dawson, Clinical Research Nurse     

Treatment of upper limb deep vein thrombosis with low molecular weight heparin

Upper limb deep vein thrombosis has been an under-recognized disease; however, physicians' awareness of it as a cause of arm pain and edema is increasing. Previously thought of as benign, upper limb deep vein thrombosis has been shown in recent studies to pose a significant risk for pulmonary embolus and death. The need for treatment is now recognized; however, effective treatments for upper limb deep vein thrombosis have not been fully defined. Anticoagulation with oral agents is known to be successful in preventing complications and recurrence. This report presents the first case of upper limb deep vein thrombosis successfully treated with only low molecular weight heparin.     

The use of low molecular weight heparin in the initial management of patients with deep vein thrombosis

Low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) have been found to be a safe and effective treatment for the prevention of venous thromboembolism. Recent clinical trials have further investigated the use of this class of drugs in the initial treatment of venous thromboembolism. The interest surrounding this new group of anticoagulants is sparked by the reduction in intensive resources required to safely administer this medication in comparison to the traditional treatment with heparin. Low molecular weight heparins do not require laboratory monitoring and can be given once or twice a day by subcutaneous injection, thereby allowing safe administration in the home. The potential cost savings incurred is timely in light of cost containment needs surrounding the current health care climate.     

Best evidence topic report. Low molecular weight heparin for intravenous drug users with deep vein thrombosis

A short cut review was carried out to establish whether low molecular weight heparins were safer and more effective anticoagulants than coumarins in injecting drug users (IDUs) with deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Altogether 276 papers were found using the reported search, of which two presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these best papers are tabulated. A clinical bottom line is stated.     

间歇充气加压联合低分子肝素预防下肢深静脉血栓形成的临床研究

下肢深静脉血栓(deep venous thrombosis,DVT)形成是股骨骨折最常见的并发症之一。在不进行干预条件下,老年股骨近端骨折病人术后DVT的发生率可高达61.3%[1]。DVT形成的基本要素是Virchow三联征:血流瘀滞、高     

低分子肝素钙围术期应用预防老年髋部骨折术后深静脉血栓疗效观察

目的：为观察低分子肝素钙（low molecular weight heparins calcium injection,LMWH）围术期应用预防老年髋部骨折术后深静脉血栓（deep venous thrombosis,DVT）的疗效和安全性。方法：将50例接受手术的患者随机分为2组,每组25例。A组应用低分子肝素钙预防,B组运用普通血管活性药物,术后14～20d患侧下肢行彩超检查了解深静脉血栓发生情况。结果：A组0例（0%）发生深静脉血栓,B组为6例（24%）,两组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;A组出血量（295±80）ml,B组（272±80）ml,两组比较差别无统计学意义（P〉0.05）,两组均未发生明显大出血。结论：表明低分子肝素钙围术期应用可安全有效预防下肢骨折术后深静脉血栓形成。     

Cost-minimization analysis of low-molecular-weight heparin (dalteparin) compared to unfractionated heparin for inpatient treatment of cancer patients with deep venous thrombosis

Goals Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) has shown to be as effective as unfractionated heparin (UFH) in the treatment of deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Although the acquisition cost of LMWH is significantly greater than that of UFH, we hypothesized that once-daily dalteparin, a LMWH, could reduce treatment costs of cancer patients with DVT by eliminating anticoagulation monitoring and shortening hospitalization.Patients and methods We developed a cost-minimization model by using outcomes and resource utilization data from two retrospective matched cohorts of cancer patients who, between 1994 and 1999, were hospitalized at our comprehensive cancer center for treatment of DVT with either LMWH (n=21) or UFH (n=168). We assumed all LMWHs and UFH to be equally effective. The total costs for the dalteparin strategy and the UFH strategy were calculated in year 2003 U.S. dollars, from the providers perspective, by multiplying the number of resources used for inpatient treatment of DVT by their unit costs.Results The mean total cost for inpatient care was $3,383 (95% CI= $2,683– $4,083) for dalteparin and $4,952 (95% CI=$4,718–$5,185) for UFH. Substantial savings resulted from shorter hospitalization among the dalteparin-treated patients (mean 3.19 versus 5.22 days). Sensitivity analysis did not change the conclusion that dalteparin is less expensive than UFH.Conclusions Savings realized from less anticoagulant monitoring and shorter hospitalization offset the higher acquisition cost of dalteparin. The dalteparin strategy is less expensive than the UFH strategy for the inpatient treatment of DVT among cancer patients.Presented in part at the 3rd Annual Houston Area Health Services & Outcomes Research Conference, Houston, TX, USA, November 25, 2002     

The use of low molecular weight heparins for postsurgical deep vein thrombosis prevention in orthopaedic patients

The prophylactic antithrombotic efficacy of a low molecular weight heparin was compared with a traditional unfractionated calcium heparin after orthopaedic surgery in 140 patients. Deep vein thromboses were detected in legs either by Doppler sonography or [125I]fibrinogen uptake tests in five (7.1%) and seven (10%) patients, respectively. The capacity of both drugs to prevent deep vein thrombosis was demonstrated. Compared with the control group, those who used low molecular weight heparin showed a significant increase of activated factor X inhibition and smaller increases in activated partial thromboplastin times. Tolerability of both drugs was good, with a low incidence of local side-effects.     

低分子肝素在剖宫产术后预防深静脉血栓形成中的应用

目的探讨预防剖宫产术后深静脉血栓形成的有效方法。方法选择2010年8月至2012年8月就诊于阜阳市人民医院产科的285例具有发生深静脉血栓高危风险的剖宫产术后产妇,随机分为治疗组及对照组,治疗组140例,于剖宫产术后24 h皮下注射低分子肝素钙5000 IU,每日1次,连续5 d;对照组145例,不使用低分子肝素及其他任何抗凝药物;术前及术后第4天监测凝血功能。结果治疗组无一例发生深静脉血栓,对照组发生4例下肢深静脉血栓,无1例肺栓塞,两组深静脉血栓发生率比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);治疗组术后D-二聚体及纤维蛋白原变化与对照组差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),两组患者出血倾向比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论低分子肝素在预防剖宫产术后深静脉血栓形成方面效果确切,且无明显出血风险,有特异临床应用价值。     

利伐沙班与低分子肝素钙预防髋部骨折术后下肢深静脉血栓形成的有效性与安全性

目的比较利伐沙班及低分子肝素钙(LMWH)对于下肢深静脉血栓形成(DVT)的预防作用,评价二者对于老年髋部骨折术后患者预防下肢DVT的安全性及有效性。方法 2009年12月到2011年8月选取老年髋部手术病例128例,随机分为性别、年龄、手术类型均衡的2组。利伐沙班组64例,术后6h开始口服利伐沙班10mg/d;LMWH组64例,术后6h开始皮下注射LMWH4100U,每天1次;疗程均为3周。比较2组患者下肢DVT、肺栓塞(PE)的发生率,以及术后负压引流量、出血等情况。结果 AO动力髋螺钉(DHS)、人工股骨头置换、全髋关节置换术后下肢DVT的发生率在利立伐沙班组分别为16.1%、11.1%和20.0%;在LMWH组分别为12.9%、15.0%和26.1%;组间差异均无统计学意义(P均>0.05)。术后2组均无PE发生。2组不同手术类型患者围手术期内负压引流量比较,差异无统计学意义(P均>0.05)。仅利伐沙班组出现1例髋关节置换术后第8天切口处大血肿,余均无明显异常。结论利伐沙班及LMWH均可有效预防老年患者髋骨骨折手术后下肢DVT,二者安全性及有效性相当,于术后6h应用安全;利伐沙班口服更方便、患者依从性高。     

长期使用低分子肝素和普通肝素对血液透析患者的影响及护理

目的探讨低分子肝素 （Low molecular weight heparin, LMWH）和普通肝素 （ Standard heparin, SH）对血液透析患者的脂质代谢、出血倾向等方面的影响,总结日常护理的心得。方法回顾性分析低分子肝素组和普通肝素组患者透析前后凝血功能的变化,并对比两组患者一年内的血脂代谢和出血倾向变化。结果低分子肝素和普通肝素在透析过程中抗凝效果无明显差异,长期使用低分子肝素导致患者的出血倾向较小,总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白、高密度脂蛋白浓度变化较小。结论长期使用低分子肝素对患者的出血倾向和脂质代谢的影响明显优于普通肝素,但对长期使用低分子肝素的患者仍需要严密观察其出血情况及透析管路凝血情况。     

深静脉血栓评估表在预防恶性肿瘤患者深静脉血栓中的应用

目的探讨深静脉血栓评估表在预防恶性肿瘤患者深静脉血栓中就应用效果。方法选取800例恶性肿瘤手术患者,按入院时间先后次序分为干预组和对照组,每组各400例,对照组采用传统的护理方法,干预组应用深静脉血栓评估表对患者进行深静脉血栓危险因素评估,根据评估结果实施针对性预防护理措施。结果干预组患者深静脉血栓发生率低于对照组,两组比较,P＜0？05,差异具有统计学意义。结论应用深静脉血栓评估表能有效预测发生深静脉血栓的高危人群,从而实施有效的护理干预进而降低深静脉血栓的发生率。     

Low molecular weight heparin (dalteparin) is equally effective as unfractionated heparin in reducing coagulation activity and perfusion abnormalities during the early treatment of pulmonary embolism

Little is known about the differences between unfractionated heparin (UFH) and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) with regard to their effects on coagulation activity during treatment for pulmonary embolism. The objective of this study was to compare UFH and LMWH (dalteparin) in the early treatment of pulmonary embolism in terms of control of coagulation markers and perfusion abnormalities. Thirty-seven patients with acute pulmonary embolism were randomized to receive intravenous UFH or subcutaneous dalteparin, each accompanied by acenocoumarol. Daily blood samples were obtained for the measurement of thrombin generation (fragments 1 and 2 [F1+2], thrombin-antithrombin (TAT) complexes and fibrin monomers [FMs]) and fibrinolysis (d-dimer concentrations and clot-lysis times). Ventilation-perfusion scintigraphies were performed, and with the data they yielded, percentage of vascular obstruction scores (PVOs) were calculated on days 0 and 5. The international normalized ratio was within the therapeutic range in both groups on day 3. F1+2 and TAT complexes rapidly normalized, without differences between the groups (P =.5 and.4, respectively). FM levels did not decrease and, in fact, showed an increase in the UFH group from day 3 on (P <.05 between groups). d-Dimer levels decreased over time, with no differences between groups (P =.6). Clot-lysis times were shorter in the UFH group (P <.05). PVOs on days 0 and 5 were not different (P =.5 and.8, respectively), but the decrease in PVOs over time was greater in the dalteparin group (P =.04). These results show that dalteparin is at least as effective as UFH in reducing coagulation activity and perfusion abnormalities in the early treatment of pulmonary embolism.