Administration of Heparin by Continuous Intravenous Infusion in the Treatment of Deep Venous Thrombosis

Abstract

In this prospective study the authors compared two approaches to heparin therapy, in the treatment of deep venous thrombosis—continuous infusion heparin and intermittent heparin therapy. Each group was comparable with respect to age, gender, risk factors, and etiologic factors. The continuous infusion group (n=60) received a heparin bolus of 150 U/kg followed by continuous intravenous infusion of 750 U/kg/twenty-four hours. The intermittent group (n=60) received a bolus of 5000 U in every four hour period. In the infusion therapy group, the resolution of clinical symptoms was more rapid, so the hospitalization time was shorter, and the hemorrhagic complications and relapses were fewer than with intermittent therapy. The authors conclude that administration of heparin by continuous infusion appears to be effective and safer than intermittent injection therapy.