Pharmacology and special clinical applications of low‐molecular‐weight heparins

Abstract

In this overview, the rationale of the development of low-molecular-weight (LMW) heparins and their toxicological, anticoagulant, fibrinolytic, lipolytic, and protamine interactions are summarized. Clinical experiences are reviewed on the benefit of LMW heparin for anticoagulation in patients with bleeding and other complications on conventional anticoagulants and during pregnancy. It is concluded that animal experiments have demonstrated the safety of LMW heparins, that the pharmacologic profile is improved compared with normal heparin, and that the simple and safe applicability of LMW heparins gives rise to new indications for the long-term prophylaxis of thromboembolism.

Anticoagulant Effects of Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin following Thrombolytic Therapy in Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Dose-Finding Study

“…Previous studies with LMWHs have shown that the APTT inhibition test remains essentially unaffected during therapy with LMWH [20,22]. In contrast, our study indi cates a modest but statistically significant ef fect of dalteparin regarding the APTT value.…”

Heparin and low‐molecular‐weight heparin (enoxaparin) significantly ameliorate experimental colitis in rats

“… 2 They are considered to be as effective an anticoagulant as unfractionated heparin and to have better pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profiles. Clinical data suggest that low‐ molecular‐weight heparins are safer than unfractionated heparin 3 . It was recently found that, like unfractionated heparin, low‐molecular‐weight heparins possess anti‐inflammatory properties, independent of their anticoagulant properties 4 , .…”

Lack of Anti-Factor Xa Activity in Umbilical Cord Vein Samples after Subcutaneous Administration of Heparin or Low Molecular Mass Heparin in Pregnant Women

“…Conse quently, the placental transport of each LMM heparin has to be investigated separately. These investigations are of importance for performing long-term prophylaxis of throm boembolism during pregnancy [22,23,[29][30][31]. Accordingly, the LMM heparin described in the present report can be used to set up a controlled prospective trial in a larger outpa tient setting for prophylaxis of thromboembo lism in pregnancy.…”