LMWH

Heparin's role in thromboprophylaxis is diminishing...In most cases, it continues to be the 'go to' drug for PE, MI and dialysis patients whereas for DVT it is being replaced by its cousins, LMWH and even oral anticoagulants - QB Medical

LMWH
LMWH

image by: William WeHa Halim

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Low molecular weight heparins and heparinoids

Unfractionated heparin has been used in clinical practice for more than 50 years and is established as an effective parenteral anticoagulant for the prevention and treatment of various thrombotic disorders. However, low molecular weight (LMW) heparins have recently emerged as more convenient, safe and effective alternatives to unfractionated heparin...

Limitations of unfractionated heparin

Most of the limitations of unfractionated heparin are explained by its non-specific binding to cell surfaces and plasma proteins.

Unpredictable anticoagulant response: Unfractionated heparin binds non-specifically to macrophages, endothelial cells…

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Resources

 Low molecular weight heparins and heparinoids

LMW heparins are replacing unfractionated heparin for the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism and the treatment of non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndromes.

Fragmin

FRAGMIN Injection (dalteparin sodium injection) is a sterile, low molecular weight heparin. It is available in single-dose, prefilled syringes preassembled with a needle guard device, and multiple-dose vials.

Lovenox

LOVENOX (enoxaparin sodium injection) is indicated for the prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis, which may lead to pulmonary embolism.

Stop the Clot

Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH), as its name suggests, is derived from Unfractionated Heparin (UFH) by digestion or depolymerization of longer chains of heparin into shorter chains by chemical or enzymatic means. These short strands make LMWH last longer and act more predictably in the body than UFH.

Primary Care Notebook

Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is now accepted as a safe and effective antithrombotic agent for use in a range of venous and arterial clotting disorders. In contrast to unfractionated heparin, which has a molecular weight in the range 3000-30000, LMWH has a mean molecular weight of 5000. LMWH primarily results in inhibition of factor Xa with relative sparing of thrombin.

StatPearls

Low-molecular-weight heparins are commonly used in clinical practice, especially in VTE (DVT and PE) prophylaxis. Approximately one-third of VTE-related deaths occur postoperatively, but research has shown that the use of LMWH postoperatively in general surgery has reduced VTE-related mortality by 70%, while it also increased the risk of bleeding and wound hematomas.

The New Heparins

Heparin fragments can only bind to antithrombin III and thrombin when they exceed a molecular weight of 5000 IU. Fragments of smaller size (LMWHs) cannot bind to antithrombin III and thrombin, but can bind to antithrombin III and Factor Xa. This catalyses the inactivation of Factor Xa.

Thrombosis Canada

Remember to take LMWH around the same time every day.

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