[Transaminase increase: a largely unknown side-effect of heparin treatment (author's transl)]

GOT, GPT and some other enzyme levels were measured systematically in 46 patients receiving subcutaneous heparin treatment. The heparin dosage varied between 5,000 and 15,000 IU, given every eight hours. During heparinisation a rise in GPT (average maximal values 67.0 +/- 7.3 U/l on the eighth treatment day) occurred in 89% of patients, while a rise in GOT (mean maximal values 39.7 +/- 3.9 U/l on the fifth treatment day) occurred in 82%. On reaching maximal value, enzyme activity decreased to the initial value despite continuing heparin treatment. A certain dependence of the incidence and (or) extent of the transaminase increase on heparin dosage was noted, especially comparing low-dose and full heparinisation. An increase in gamma-GT during subcutaneous heparinisation occurred in 37% of patients, while there was no significant change in alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase.