HEPARIN: LOW v CONVENTIONAL-DOSE AFTER HIP SURGERY

Subcutaneous administration of conventional high doses of calcium heparinate was associated with a significant reduction in thromboembolism among patients undergoing major hip surgery. Although subcutaneous administration oflow-dose heparin also was related to a decreased incidence of thromboembolism, this decrease was not statistically significant.

Thromboembolism was detected (by Doppler ultrasound) in 7 of 27 control subjects, in 7 of 103 patients given low-dose heparin, and in 1 of95 patients given high dose heparin. Administration of low-dose heparin (500IU/10kg tid) began the night before surgery while high-dose heparin (about 1,250IU/10kg tid) was started the night after surgery. The only fatality, due to pulmonary embolism, occurred in the low-dose heparin group. Anticoagulant prophylaxis is sometimes objected to on the basis of a possible increase in post-operative wound complications, but this was not the case in this study.

Schondorf, T.H. and Her, D.: Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift 100: 2014 (3 Oct 1975)

INPHARMA 18th October,1975p.7