Comments about dosing of low molecular weight heparins (LMWH)
Udvardy, M.; Rák, K.
Orvosi Hetilap 142(38): 2077-2082
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0030-6002 PMID: 11697064 Document Number: 535122
Low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs) have different schedules for dosage according to the official descriptions and recommendations prepared by the particular manufacturer. Therapeutic regimens are mainly depending on bodyweight, even if data concerning the possible effects body composure (i.e. in obesity, lean body mass) are apparently more or less missing. Prophylactic doses are either based on bodyweight (or just an approximation, weight-frames) or mainly perioperative cases on the assessment of the surgical risk. Manufacturers are busy to supply easy and convenient way to approach dosage and prepare, providing fixed, frequently used amounts of LMWHs in disposable syringes. On the other hand haematologist may or should assess bodyweight, history of thrombosis, thrombophilia or bleeding risk, and disease or intervention simultaneously, and may look for a synthetic estimation of an individual dose for each patient. It is rather difficult to establish, which way should be preferred. This review tries to analyse pros and cons in respect of dose estimation with LMWHs in therapy or prophylaxis.