Treatment of thrombosis with low molecular weight heparins

The treatment of deep vein thrombosis has been improved by demonstrating the equal efficacy and safety of subcutaneous injection compared to continuous intravenous infusion of unfractionated heparin. The development of low-molecular-weight heparins has shown some progress in this field. They have been proved to be even more effective and save than unfractionated heparin. The advantages of low-molecular-weight heparins are: only 1 or 2 s.c. injections/day, higher thrombolytic activity, reduced side effects, reduced mortality, possible reduction of hospital stay and lack of drug monitoring. However, treatment of DVT with LMW-heparins is not proved so far by the local authorities.