Venous thromboembolism unfractionated heparin

FIGURE 7-5. Treatment approach for patients with VTE. INR, International Normalized Ratio IV, intravenous LMWH, low-molecular-weight heparin PO, oral SC, subcutaneous UFH, unfractionated heparin VTE, venous thromboembolism. (Adapted from Nutescu EA. Emerging options in the treatment of venous thromboembolism. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2004 61 (Suppl 7) S16, with permission.)... 

Mechanism of action of unfractionated heparin, low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), and fondaparinux. (Reproduced from Haines ST, Zeolla M, Witt DM. Venous thromboembolism. In DiPiro JT, Talbert RL, Yee GC, et al, (eds.) Pharmacotherapy ... 

FIGURE 14-2. Treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE). (LMWH, low-molecular-weight heparin PE, pulmonary embolism SBP, systolic blood pressure UFH, unfractionated heparin.)... 

Cancer is a complicated process consisting of well-coordinated multiple steps. Randomized trials to study the effectiveness of LMW heparins as compared with unfractionated heparin in treating venous thromboembolism in cancer patients led to a surprising observation that treatment with heparin... 

Low-dose unfractionated heparin or LMW heparin can be used to prevent venous thromboembolism in other high-risk patients, e.g. those confined to bed and immobilised with strokes, cardiac failure or malignant disease. Spontaneous bleeding has not been a problem with this form of anticoagulant treatment. 

Venous thromboembolism is the most common presentation of HIT, although arterial events (e.g., myocardial infarction and stroke) can occur. HIT should be suspected if a patient develops a DVT or PE while or soon after receiving unfractionated heparin. 

Dolovich L, Ginsberg JS, Douketis J, et al. A meta-analysis comparing low-molecular-weight heparins with unfractionated heparin in the treatment of venous thromboembolism. Arch Intern Med 2000 160 181-188. 

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