LOW-DOSE HEPARIN THROMBOEMBOLISM PROPHYLAXIS

Objective: To determine a rational approach to heparin dosing for thro mboembolism prophylaxis. Design: Literature review. Results: Three com monly used heparin dosing regimens were identified: (1) standard low-d ose heparin (5000 U administered subcutaneously 2-3 times per day); (2 ) adjusted-dose heparin (adequate to elevate the activated partial thr omboplastin time to 5 seconds above the upper limit of normal), and (3 ) low-molecular-weight heparin (30 mg subcutaneously twice daily witho ut monitoring). Conclusions: Adjusted-dose heparin thromboembolism pro phylaxis is both the safest and most reliable method currently availab le.