THERAPY OF THROMBOSIS - NEW DEVELOPMENTS

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.