ECONOMIC-EVALUATION OF STANDARD HEPARIN AND ENOXAPARIN FOR PROPHYLAXIS AGAINST DEEP-VEIN THROMBOSIS IN ELECTIVE HIP-SURGERY

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common complication in patients underg oing elective hip surgery. Because of the associated risk of pulmonary embolism, prophylaxis with standard (unfractionated) heparin is becom ing increasingly important. Recent clinical trials have shown a low mo lecular weight form of heparin, enoxaparin, to be more effective than standard heparin in preventing DVT, but the new drug is also more expe nsive. Data on clinical effectiveness and cost were combined in an eco nomic evaluation of the two regimens. It was found that prophylaxis wi th enoxaparin would he expected to lead to a net saving of pound 20 pe r patient. The economic results are sensitive to the costs of enoxapar in, the costs of drug administration and the probability of false clin ical diagnosis of DVT or pulmonary embolism.