Outpatient therapy with low-molecular-weight heparins: new perspectives for treatment of deep vein thrombosis

Subcutaneous administration of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) has been demonstrated to be as safe and effective for treatment of acute venous thrombosis as conventional treatment with unfractionated heparin, which requires intravenous infusion. In addition, LMWHs appear to provide an improved quality of life for patients with less impairment of physical activity. The ease of administration of LMWHs could be exploited in the clinical management of patients to increase the extent of LMWH outpatient therapy and reduce the number of hospitalizations for venous thrombosis, thus providing a more cost-effective therapy than conventional heparin. Efficient support services, patient education and careful follow up will be required for home treatment to be successful