LOW DOSE HEPARIN FAILS TO PREVENT POSTOPERATIVE THROMBOEMBOLISM

100 high risk surgical patients over 40 years old received sodium heparin ('Novo') SC 5000iu, 2 hours preoperatively and then 8-hourly postoperatively for 6 days or until fully ambulant. The overall incidence of deep vein thrombosis was significantly reduced in the heparin group compared with the controls. Although the incidence of calf-vein thrombosis was reduced, there was no reduction in the incidence of proximal thrombosis or non-fatal pulmonary embolism. 20 (23 %) of control and 23 (24 %) of heparin patients had new postoperative perfusion defects. Groote Schuur Hospital Thromboembolus Study Group: British Medical Journal I: 1447 (2 Jun 1979)

0156-2703/79/0616-0011 $00.50/0 ©ADIS Press INPHARMA 16 June 1979 11