Study design - Evaluating low molecular weight heparins within a health system: Issues and strategies

Health organizations interested in designing an outcomes or pharmacoeconomi c study on the low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs) first need to clearly define the study questions they wish to answer, which may vary based on stu dy perspective and organizational setting, Important clinical endpoints to assess include development of pulmonary emboli, recurrent thrombosis, impro vement in clinical signs and symptoms, major bleeding episodes, and length of hospitalization. Important economic endpoints to assess include drug cos ts, laboratory monitoring costs, administration costs, and complication cos ts. Results obtained from properly designed studies will assist health syst ems in more clearly defining the role of LMWHs within their organizations.