The treatment of thromboembolism with 3 x 11,000 or 2 x 16,000 IU subc
utaneous heparin has been demonstrated to be as effective and safe as
the continuous intravenous infusion with 33,000 IU unfractionated hepa
rin. Bedrest is only necessary in patients with recent thrombosis of t
he femoral and/or pelvic vein. The treatment of DVT with subcutaneous
low-molecular-weight heparin indicates a higher efficacy and better sa
fety compared with continuous intravenous unfractionated heparin. Furt
her studies have to validate this trend. For prophylaxis of thromboemb
olism in postoperative medicine low-molecular-weight heparins have bee
n shown to be superior in safely and efficacy compared with unfraction
ated heparin. In non-surgical bedridden hospitalized patients the firs
t clinical studies indicate an equal efficacy and improved safety comp
ared with unfractionated heparin.