Heparin and related drugs for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis: subcutaneous or intravenous continuous infusion?

J Comp Eff Res. 2015 Mar;4(2):167-84. doi: 10.2217/cer.14.78.

Abstract

In this article, the most evidenced approaches of unfractionated heparin administration for prevention of venous thromboembolism in medical and surgical hospitalized patients will be reviewed. Present data were collected by searching Scopus, PubMed, MEDLINE, Science direct, Clinical trials and Cochrane database systematic reviews. Subcutaneous low doses of unfractionated heparin (10000-15000 IU) in two or three divided doses per day are commonly administrated for venous thromboembolism prevention in different medical and surgical populations. In some populations such as obese surgical and critically ill patients, due to altered pharmacokinetics behavior of unfractionated heparin, continuous intravenous infusion of the low doses of unfractionated heparin has been proposed.

Keywords: heparin; prophylaxis; venous thromboembolism.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anticoagulants / administration & dosage*
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Heparin / administration & dosage*
  • Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Infusions, Intravenous / methods
  • Injections, Subcutaneous / methods
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Venous Thromboembolism / prevention & control*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight
  • Heparin