Low-Dose Heparin Prophylaxis for Postoperative Venous Thromboembolism

Abstract

The current decade has witnessed renewed interest and progress in the investigation of the thromboembolic disorders. Not only has there been a rapid acquisition of information concerning the fundamentals of hemostasis, blood coagulation and thrombogenesis but important developments have been taking place in their diagnosis, therapy and prophylaxis. Illustrative of the latter is the prevention of postoperative venous thromboembolism by heparin in doses (5000 units at eight or 12 hours daily given subcutaneously and referred to as low-dose heparin) that are relatively free of bleeding complications and do not require laboratory monitoring; such a regimen, if successful, provides a safer . . .