Heparin therapy studied for prophylaxis use
The risk of venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing total hip replacement is high. A study of patients who’d had the procedure concluded that thromboembolism of deep veins is less likely when low-molecular-weight heparin (enoxaparin) is administered for a month following surgery.1 Typically it is administered only during hospitalization. How to do that outside the hospital? Most patients, say the investigators, can self-inject the agent at home when motivated to do so.
Reference
1. Bergqvist D, Benoni G, Bjorgell O, et al. Low-molecular weight heparin (enoxaparin) as prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism after total hip replacement. N Engl J Med 1996; 335:696-700.
Andrea Rogers, RN, unit manager of the cardiovascular intensive care unit at Carondolet St. Mary’s Hospital in Tucson, AZ. Telephone: (520) 622-5833.
Jeanne Sandecki, RN, quality improvement coordinator at Promina-Gwinnett Health System in Lawrenceville, GA. Telephone: (770) 995-4667.
Laura Sauerbeck, clinical research coordinator, The Greater Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Stroke Research Center, Cincinnati. Telephone: (513) 558-1742.
Patricia Mahoney, RN, coordinator of emergency services at Richmond (VA) Memorial Hospital. Telephone: (804) 254-6300.
Carolyn Brown, RN, MN, CCRN, cardiology clinical coordinator, Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. Telephone: (404) 712-4368.
Mary Welch, RN, MSN, cardiovascular case manager at Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital, Greensboro, NC. Telephone: (910) 574-8027.
Lisa Kiger, RN, MSN, CCRN, clinical nurse specialist, cardiology, North Carolina Baptist Hospitals, Winston-Salem, NC. Telephone: (910) 716-6238.
Carol Maller, MS, RN, CHES, patient education coordinator, VA Medical Center in Albuquerque, NM. Telephone: (505) 265-1711, ext. 4656.
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