Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin 1998;36:25-29; doi:10.1136/dtb.1998.36425
Copyright © 1998 by the BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this link to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Add article to my folders Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation

Low molecular weight heparins for venous thromboembolism

Relevant BNF section: 2.8.1

Five years ago, we concluded that in patients undergoing major orthopaedic surgery, prophylactic use of a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) gave greater protection against deep vein thrombosis (DVT) than did conventional unfractionated heparin (UFH).¹ The risk of bleeding appeared to be the same. It was unclear whether the clinical advantages of the LMWHs offset their greater cost. In the UK, four LMWHs (certoparin, dalteparin, enoxaparin and tinzaparin) are now licensed for prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism during or after surgery; a fifth (nadroparin) is licensed but not yet marketed in the UK. Dalteparin, enoxaparin and tinzaparin are licensed for the treatment of DVT. Additionally, tinzaparin is licensed for the treatment of pulmonary embolism (PE). Here, we review the use of LMWHs for these indications.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				W H Allum, S M Griffin, A Watson, and D Colin-Jones Guidelines for the management of oesophageal and gastric cancer Gut, June 1, 2002; 50 (2007): v1 - v23. [Full Text] [PDF]