Comparing safety of heparin as continuous intravenous infusion and multiple subcutaneous injections

In this study, safety of two methods of unfractionated heparin administration for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis was compared in critically ill surgical patients. A total of 50 surgical critically ill patients randomly assigned to either subcutaneous unfractionated heparin 5000 units three-times a day or continuous intravenous infusion; 625 IU/h. During the intensive care unit (ICU) stay, patients' hemodynamic parameters, laboratory tests, symptoms and signs of thrombosis and bleeding were monitored closely. During the patients' follow-up, no episode of bleeding or venous thromboembolism event was recorded. The differences in ICU and hospital stays were not significantly different between the groups. There are limited evidences regarding safety and efficacy of continuous intravenous infusion of unfractionated heparin for thromboprophylaxis.