[Adverse effects of 2 forms of therapy with heparin in patients with non-surgical risk factors of venous thromboembolism].

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a frequent complication in hospitalized patients who have to stay in bed for long periods of time or with diseases favouring of low molecular weight (HLMW) developed during the past years have demonstrated that they are as effective as the non-fractionated heparins, but with the advantage of a better cutaneous absorption, greater bioavailability and plasmatic half-life, a more favourable antithrombotic/hemorrhagic ratio and a lower variability in the anticoagulant response to fixed doses. We have investigated the efficacy, efficiency and security of an HLMW (Enoxaparine) for the prevention of VTE, comparing it with an standard calcic heparin, subcutaneously administrated, in patients with non-surgical risk factors and more than 65 years of age. Based on our results, we cannot conclude that one therapy is better than the other, although the enoxaparine needs only one daily injection and it can be administrated in an out-patient basis for long periods of time, without the need of laboratory controls and the resulting cost savings.