91% prefer home LMWH
91% prefer home LMWH
A recent study explored the feasibility of outpatient treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) outside the clinical setting.1
Investigators looked at 89 patients who were treated at home with SQ injections. Most of the patients gave themselves injections or received them from a family member; the rest required assistance from a nurse. LMWH was given for a minimum of five days. Warfarin was also started early in the course of LMWH treatment and continued for a minimum of three months.
One patient died of pulmonary embolism and bleeding shortly after the first LMWH injection; eight died of nonthromboembolic causes; and one had a minor bleeding episode. Ninety-one percent of the patients preferred outpatient treatment; and 70% were comfortable with self-injection.
Reference
1. Harrison L, et al. Assessment of outpatient treatment of deep vein thrombosis with low molecular weight heparin. Arch Intern Med 1998; 158:2,001-2,003. Leibowitz RS. Deep vein thrombosis: Thinking inside out. Arch Intern Med 1998; 158:1,964.
Subscribe Now for Access
You have reached your article limit for the month. We hope you found our articles both enjoyable and insightful. For information on new subscriptions, product trials, alternative billing arrangements or group and site discounts please call 800-688-2421. We look forward to having you as a long-term member of the Relias Media community.