COMPARISON OF TWICE DAILY LOW-MOLECULAR-WEIGHT HEPARIN VERSUS ONCE DAILY REGIMEN FOR THE TREATMENT OF DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS

Background: Low-molecular-weight heparin twice daily have been shown to be safe and effective for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The aim of this study is to compare a once daily with twice daily regimen of low-molecular-weight heparin for the treatment of acute deep vein thrombosis.

Methods: The patients with acute DVT in the lower extremity who were diagnosed using duplex Doppler ultrasonogaphy were randomly divided into two groups. The patients in the first group were treated with nadroparin ( 9500 IU Axa / ml ) twice daily and the patients in the second group were treated with nadroparin ( 19000 IU Axa/ml ) once daily for 10 days. Oral anticoagulant continued for 3 months. The patients were followed-up for 3 months.

Results: The symptoms of the patients in two groups were relieved and they returned to their own daily life. Recurrent DVT occured only in one patient in twice daily group. Death, major bleeding or pulmonary embolism was not seen in the both once and twice daily groups.

Conclusion: Once daily low-molecular-weight heparin is as safe and effective as twice daily regimen for the treatment of DVT. This well tolerated, cost saving and easier regimen may be the first choice for the treatment. (Turkish J Vasc Surg 2006;15(3):15-19).