Connect
MJA
MJA

In reply: Low-molecular-weight heparins and heparinoids

John W Eikelboom and Graeme J Hankey
Med J Aust 2003; 178 (8): . || doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2003.tb05270.x
Published online: 21 April 2003

In reply: Walters and Graham question the role of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) as a replacement for unfractionated heparin during pregnancy, and cite the lack of randomised comparisons to support their view that the standard initial treatment for pulmonary embolism during pregnancy remains intravenous unfractionated heparin. We do not deny the lack of clinical trials of LMWH in pregnancy; we were simply referring to the increased use of LMWH.1,2




Correspondence: 

  • 1. Sanson BJ, Lensing AW, Prins MH, et al. Safety of low molecular weight heparin in pregnancy: a systematic review. Thromb Haemost 1999; 81: 668-672.
  • 2. Ginsberg JS, Greer I, Hirsh J. Use of antithrombotic agents during pregnancy. Chest 2001; 119: 122-131.
  • 3. Murray DW, Britton AR, Bulstrode CJ. Thromboprophylaxis and death after total hip replacement. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1996; 78: 863-870.
  • 4. Petticrew M, Kennedy SC. Detecting the effects of thromboprophylaxis: the case of the rogue reviews. BMJ 1997; 315: 665-668.
  • 5. Prevention of pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis with low dose aspirin: Pulmonary Embolism Prevention (PEP) trial. Lancet 2000; 355: 1295-1302.
  • 6. Collins R, Scrimgeour A, Yusuf S, Peto R. Reduction in fatal pulmonary embolism and venous thrombosis by perioperative administration of subcutaneous heparin. Overview of results of randomized trials in general, orthopedic, and urologic surgery. N Engl J Med 1988; 318: 1162-1173.
  • 7. Eikelboom JW, Quinlan D, Douketis JD. Long-term LMWH to prevent VTE in high-risk orthopaedic patients: a meta-analysis. Lancet 2001; 358: 9-15.
  • 8. Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry. Available at: http://www.dmac.adelaide.edu.au/aoanjrr/aoanjrrreport_2002.pdf (accessed 22 Feb 2003).
  • 9. Sanders KM, Nicholson GC, Ugoni AM, et al. Health burden of hip and other fractures in Australia beyond 2000. Projections based on the Geelong Osteoporosis Study. Med J Aust 1999; 170: 467-470. <eMJA full text>

Author

remove_circle_outline Delete Author
add_circle_outline Add Author

Comment
Do you have any competing interests to declare? *

I/we agree to assign copyright to the Medical Journal of Australia and agree to the Conditions of publication *
I/we agree to the Terms of use of the Medical Journal of Australia *
Email me when people comment on this article

Online responses are no longer available. Please refer to our instructions for authors page for more information.