LOW-MOLECULAR-WEIGHT HEPARIN - PROPHYLAXIS AND TREATMENT OF VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM

Intravenous heparin followed by warfarin has been the classical antico agulant therapy of acute venous thromboembolism for the last 30 years. Furthermore, low-dose unfractionated heparin given two to three times daily has been the most popular form of prophylaxis for venous thromb osis. In recent years, a number of low-molecular-weight heparins have become available for clinical trials. These agents have many advantage s over unfractionated heparin and are now being used widely internatio nally for the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism. Inde ed, low-molecular-weight heparin will undoubtedly replace intravenous unfractionated heparin not only in the treatment of venous thromboembo lism, but in other conditions where heparin therapy is indicated. Whet her or not the low-molecular-weight heparins can decrease or eliminate some of the complications of unfractionated heparin will depend on th e outcome of future clinical trials.