Prevention of deep venous thrombosis by a new low molecular weight heparin (Fluxum) in cardiac surgery

The prophylactic deep venous antithrombotic efficacy of a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) was compared with traditional unfractionated calcium heparin in 39 patients submitted to cardiac surgery. The patients were allocated at random to receive either LMWH-Fluxum 3200 IUaXa daily (Group A: 20 patients) or calcium heparin 5000 IU three times daily (Group B: 19 patients). Both treatments were started on the first day after surgery and continued over the fourth postoperative days. One or more risk factors for deep venous thrombosis in addition to the cardiac pathology were present in all the patients of group A and in 13 (72.2%) of group B. Mean times of surgery, blood loss during the perioperative period and number of blood units transfused in both groups were not statistically significant. The deep venous system was investigated by continuous wave Doppler and real time colour Echotomography. No evidence of thrombosis was detected in the two groups. Side effects and subcutaneous hematomas were present in only four patients of group B. Both drugs showed good tolerance, provoking no variations of the main laboratory parameters. We conclude that Fluxum (LMWH) for the efficacy and convenience given by a single daily dose, could represent an alternative choice in the prevention of deep venous thrombosis in cardiac surgery.