Background: Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) are replacing unfractionated heparin (UH) in treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVP), showing their security and effectiveness.
Methods: To demonstrate their security and effectiveness a randomized prospective study was realised. It compared UH with LMWH in DP treatment, clinically diagnosed and confirmed with eco-Doppler. The study included 32 patients (21 males and 11 females); 15 received UH in continuos i.v. infusion and 17 sodic dalteparine, with dicumarinic afterwards in every case. The patients were followed for one year.
Results: There were no differences between the two groups of treatment in clinical/radiological effectiveness either in short term nor one year follow up. There were no significative differences in side effects.
Conclusion: LMWH are as effective and safe as UH for DVT treatment. They also have a more comfortable dosage for the patient, avoiding the i.v. infusion and the coagulation test, which allows treatment at home.