Low molecular weight heparin for the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism

G E Raskob1

  • 1Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City 73190, USA.

Low molecular weight heparin is effective for the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism. Low molecular weight heparin has the practical advantage that it does not require anticoagulant monitoring and dose adjustment. The simplified therapy provided by low molecular weight heparin will allow many patients with venous thromboembolism to be cared for in an outpatient setting, with a potential for major savings in health care costs. For preventing venous thromboembolism after hip or knee replacement, and after general abdominal surgery, further cost effectiveness studies are required to determine the ultimate clinical role of low molecular weight heparin.

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