Use of low molecular weight heparins

摘要

Low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs) are used widely for the __J prophylaxis and treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE). VTE comprises deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), a complication of DVT where some or all of the thrombus breaks away and lodges in the pulmonary arteries. It is difficult to get a true picture of incidence of VTE. Currently, it is estimated that one person per 1,000 will be affected by a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) each year in the UK. The VTE impact assessment group in Europe (VTTAE) performed epidemiological modelling of VTE in six European countries (including the UK), and estimated there were 465,715 cases of DVT, 295,982 cases of PE and 370,012 VTE-related deaths over the six countries each year1. However, this study was before VTE risk assessment on admission for adult patients who are hospitalised became mandatory in the UK, and therefore these numbers are now likely to be considerably lower in the UK.