LOW-DOSE HEPARIN PREVENTS FATAL POSTOPERATIVE PULMONARY EMBOLISM

.. . Results of an Old Trial Reassessed In July. 1975, the results were published ofa multi-centre trial to assess the efficacy oflow-dose heparin in preventing fatal postoperative pulmonary embolism. A reappraisal of these results, excluding one of the centres . has been completed with the same conclusion: subcutaneous heparin before and after surgery significantly reduced the incidence of fatal pulmonary embolism, detected at necropsy.

Of the 4031 patients reassessed 20)3 were in the control group and 1998 in the heparin group. Deaths totalled 170(4.296 of 4031); 94 in the control and 76 in the heparin group; necropsy was performed in 66 (70.2 %)aOO 50(65.7 96 ), respectively. Fifteen (0. 7 %) of the 66 controls died from acute massive pulmonary embolism; vs none of the SO heparin-treated patients. These results differ from the previous report in that all the fatal pulmonary emboli reported in the heparin group were from the one centre now excluded. However, the appraisal did not alter the ooncl!JSion that low dose-heparin prevents deep vein thrombosis in most postoperative patients.

Multicellire Trialo Lancr:t I , S67 (12 Mu 1917)

Scbirger. A. and Shcps. S.C.: Joomal of!ne American Medical A!WCiation 231: 9119 (7 Mar 1911)

INPHARMA 2nd April. 1917 p9