Summary
The safety and efficacy of a low molecular weight heparin fragment Kabi 2165, given
in the dose 2,500 anti-Xa units once daily, in preventing postoperative venous thromboembolism,
was assessed against calcium heparin in the dose 5,000 IU twice daily, in a multicenter
double blind randomized study. On an intention to treat basis 385 patients scheduled
for major surgery were included in this study. Six patients (3.1%) out of 195 developed
isotopic DVT in the Kabi 2165 group. Corresponding figures for calcium heparin was
7 patients (3.7%). There was no statistically significant difference between the two
groups with respect to the bleeding variables; blood loss during operation, postoperative
drainage, blood transfusion, haemoglobin and haematocrit levels; wound haematoma and
haematoma at the injection sites. No patient had to undergo evacuation of wound haematoma
or reoperation due to bleeding. It is concluded that one single daily injection of
Kabi 2165 provides a convenient safe and effective prophylaxis against thromboembolism
in general surgery.
Keywords Low molecular weight heparin - Deep vein thromboisis - Bleeding anti-Xa activity
