[Subcutaneous heparin-calcium therapy: clinical and laboratory experience]

Fifty patients with acute deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, acute myocardial infarct and priapism were treated with subcutaneous calcium heparin. Laboratory control was based on the examination of APTT. On the first day of heparin therapy only 52% of patients's APTT was 1.5 times greater than control value but the ratio increased to 82% on the fifth day of treatment. The importance of initial venous sodium heparin bolus (5-10,000 U) followed immediately by subcutaneous calcium heparin is emphasized. Injection of 500 U/kg/day calcium heparin divided in two equal doses is recommended. Four thrombotic and two haemorrhagic complications were observed. Subcutaneous calcium heparin can substitute the intravenous form of heparin (either bolus or continuous) in the treatment of thromboembolism.