[Dosage and possibilities for controlling thrombosis prevention with low-dose heparin]

The dosage of subcutaneous heparin examined (2 X 7500 international units per day) was shown to be unsatisfactory, as the average plasma heparin level in the patients was too low for over 9 h/day. This was a result of the fact that the interval between doses was too long and the therapy regimen thus not quite right. It was not possible to adjust the dose according to body height and weight because of lack of correlation with the plasma heparin levels. Control of the dose effect by the thrombin-clotting time test only showed a weak correlation. For high-risk patients in particular, an individually adjusted dosage is mandatory. Determination of the plasma heparin level can be helpful.