Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin for Pulmonary Embolism.

Low-molecular-weight heparins have greater bioavailability, a longer half-life, and a more predictable anticoagulant response than standard, unfractionated heparin. Previous studies have shown that low-molecular-weight heparins are safe and effective for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis, but there is little information about their value for the treatment of thromboembolism. To address this issue, an international, multicenter study randomized 1,021 patients with symptomatic venous thromboembolism to a weight-based dose of subcutaneously administered low-molecular-weight heparin (reviparin) or to a non-weight-based dose of unfractionated heparin given intravenously.

Oral anticoagulant therapy was started on the first or second day in bot…