Low molecular weight heparin (Logiparin) as thromboprophylaxis in elective abdominal surgery. A dose finding study

The efficacy and safety of a new not yet registered low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) (Logiparin) as thromboprophylactic agent was assessed in 51 patients undergoing major elective surgery. The patients were divided into three groups receiving either 2,500 anti-Xa international units (IU) (group 1), 50 IU per kg body weight (group 2) or 3,500 IU (group 3) subcutaneously once daily. All patients were screened with the 125I-fibrinogen uptake test, and whenever a FUT was abnormal or when clinical signs were present ascending phlebography was performed. Thrombosis occurred in 12.5% of the patients in group 1 and 0% of the patients in groups 2 and 3 (p greater than 0.05). In groups 1 and 2 only minor bleeding complications were recorded. In group 3 there was one haemorrhagic episode requiring interruption of the LMWH treatment. The optimal doses of this new LMWH seems to be in the range 2,500 IU-3,500 IU once daily. The final dose recommendation has to be established in large scale clinical trials.