Rates of clinically apparent heparin-induced thrombocytopenia for unfractionated heparin vs. low molecular weight heparin in non-surgical patients are low and similar

Table 1 Treatment duration and reported adverse event rates in studies comparing UFH vs. LMWH heparin in the treatment and prophylaxis of VTE

Key:
T:Thrombocytopenia, defined as platelet count less than 100,000 cells/ml,
*One case of "immune thrombocytopenia reported in this study". Case was in the LMWH group but had received UFH prior to randomization.
T(u) – Thrombocytopenia-undefined in study
T w/o exp. – Thrombocytopenia with "no apparent explanation"
NR: not reported,
**: "Thrombocyte count did not change in either group".
T(d): A decrease in platelet count (values ranging between 40,000 and 80,000/microliter) was observed in four patients with UF and in none with LMW heparin. No severe thrombocytopenia was observed.
T(n): "There was no decrease in platelet count due to enoxaparin or Ca-heparin."
† One patient with drop in platelet count from 149 K cells/ml to 87 K during treatment. Platelet count rose to 280 K post study. No sequallae from thrombocytopenia.
^‡ Average length of treatment not stated. Treatment length "at least five days".

ISSN: 1477-9560