[Standard heparin versus low-molecular-weight heparin]

Deep vein thromboses of the legs, which have been treated with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), show significantly less thromboembolic recurrencies, less extension of the thrombus, fewer bleedings and a lower mortality than standard heparin (UFH). The differences are, however, small. LMWH is considerably more expensive. The advantage of LMWH lies in the possibility that it can be subcutaneously injected and thus given on an outpatient basis. This makes the treatment much easier and reduces the treatment costs by 50%.