Efficacy and Safety of Low Molecular Weight Heparin Prophylaxis for Venous Thromboembolism Following Lumbar Decompression Surgery

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism (VTE) after lumbar decompression surgery. Methods Patients at high or the highest risk of VTE who underwent lumbar spine surgery in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2004 to April 2011 were included in the present study. All the patients received a half dose of LMWH 6 hours after surgery followed by a full dose LMWH once per day until discharge. We recorded incidences of deep venous thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), bleeding complications, and medication side effects. Results Seventy-eight consecutive patients were eligible and enrolled in this study. The mean hospital stat was 8.5±4.5 days. No symptomatic DVT, PE, or major bleeding events were observed. One patient developed wound ecchymosis, another developed wound bleeding, four had mild hepatic aminotransferase level elevation, and one developed a suspicious allergic reaction. Conclusion LMWH may be applied as an effective and safe prophylaxis for VTE in high-risk patients undergoing lumbar decompression surgery.

Astrocytic effect of low molecular weight heparin-superoxide dismutase conjugate in interleukin-6 overexpressing mice following local cerebral ischemia

BACKGROUND： Studies have shown that low molecular weight heparin-superoxide dismutase conjugate exhibits a remarkable neuroprotective effect. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the effect of low molecular weight heparin-superoxide dismutase conjugate on astrocytes in an interleukin-6 （IL-6） overexpressing mice following local cerebral ischemia. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Randomized, cytological, controlled, animal study was performed in the Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Neurology and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina from January 2005 to March 2005. MATERIALS： Nine IL-6 transgenic mice, irrespective of gender, were randomly divided into three groups： sham-operated, model, and treatment, with three mice in each group. With exception of the sham-operated group, right middle cerebral artery occlusion was induced in the mice. Expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein, an astrocyte marker, was determined by immunohistochemistry. Low molecular weight heparin-superoxide dismutase conjugate was purchased from Biochemistry and Biotechnique Institute, Shandong University. METHODS： Two minutes prior to ischemia induction, 0.5 mL/kg saline or 20 000 U/kg low molecular weight heparin-superoxide dismutase conjugate were administrated via the femoral artery in the model group and treatment group, respectively. The sham-operated group underwent the same protocols, with the exception of occlusion and treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The number of glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive cells was quantified under light microscopy （x200）. RESULTS： In the sham-operated group, there were a large number of astrocytes in the IL-6 transgenic mice. However, the cell bodies were small, and the branches were few and thin. The number of astrocytes in the model group was remarkably less than the sham-operated group. Compared to the model and sham-operated groups, the number of astrocytes significantly increased, and the cell body became larger, following treatment with low molecular weight heparin-superoxide dismutase conjugate. Astrocytes exhibited hypertrophy and hyperplasia, and the processes became longer and thicker. CONCLUSION： The low molecular weight heparin-superoxide dismutase conjugate may provide neuroprotection through astrocytic activation at the super-early stage of cerebral ischemia and reperfusion.

Studies of Oral Preparation of Low Molecular Weight Heparin

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Clinical and Experimental Study of Low Molecular Weight Heparin in Patients with Chronic Anemia

Objective: To preliminary study the significance of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in the treatment patients of with anemia of chronic diseases (ACD), and the changes in the serum levels of BMP6, hepcidin and IL-6. To preliminary study the significance of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in the treatment the patients with anemia of chronic diseases (ACD), and the changes in the serum levels of BMP6, hepcidin and IL-6. Methods: Used LMWH (4000 u/day, 7 - 15 days) to therapy 61 patients with ACD, and ELISA method was used to determine Hepcidin and BMP6 before and after treatment, and the determination of IL-6 by Electro-chemi-luminescence, and to analyze its clinical significance. Results: 1) In all 61 cases, the levels of Hepcidin in post-therapy were 0.82 ± 0.24 mg/L, which were lower than 1.05 ± 3.83 mg/L in pre-therapy (t = 2.5726, P < 0.05). The levels of IL-6 in post-therapy were 24.88 ± 12.58 mg/L, which were lower than 38.22 ± 31.23 mg/L in pre-therapy (t = 2.9650, P < 0.05), but there were no statistically significant both Hb and BMP6 between in pre-therapy and post-therapy (all P > 0.05). However, The levels of Hb in post-therapy were higher than in pre-therapy (t = 1.9832, P < 0.05). 2) The Hb level in the tumor anemia group after treatment was 91.18 ± 15.91 g/L, which was higher than that before treatment (85.45 ± 18.33 g/L), the difference was statistically significant (t = 1.9711, P < 0.05). 3) The levels of hepcidin and IL-6 in the tumor anemia group after treatment were 0.73 ± 0.45 mg/L and 30.33 ± 28.39 mg/ml, which were lower than those before treatment (1.09 ± 0.41 mg/L and 50.76 ± 42.10 mg/ml), respectively, the difference was statistically significant (t = 3.3941, P < 0.01 and t = 2.3597, P < 0.05). 4) There was no significant difference in all indexes in tumor anemia free group (all P > 0.05). 5) Although Hb level increased slightly in the non-tumor anemia group, there was no statistical significance (P > 0.05), and there was no statistical difference in other indexes (all P > 0.05). 6) After treatment, the level of Hb was negatively correlated with Hepcidin and IL-6 (respectively r = -0.2809, t = 2.2490, P < 0.05 and r = -0.2781, t = 2.2266, P < 0.05). Hepcidin was positively related to IL-6 (r = -0.2941, t = 2.3622, P < 0.05). There was no correlation between BMP6 and Hb, Hepcidin and IL-6 levels. Conclusion: LMWH could up-regulate the levels of Hb, and better for the degree of anemia in patients with ACD. The possible mechanism is to reduce the level of Hepcidin and IL-6.

Histopathologic effects of a low molecular weight heparin on bone healing in rats:a promising adjuvant in dacryocystorhinostomy

AIM： To investigate the effect of short -term prophylactic dose of a low molecular weight heparin （LMWH） drug on the bone healing process in an animal model simulating the osteotomy obtained in dacryocystorhinostomy. METHODS： Forty male Wistar albino rats were divided into 2 groups. Subcutaneous injections of enoxaparin 1 mg/kg （enoxaparin-treated group） and saline solution （control group） were performed once daily for 4d, beginning on the first preoperative day. The osteotomy was created at the femoral diaphysis in all animals by using a Kirschner wire. Each group was further divided into 2 subgroups depending on the timing of the second operation, 14 or 21d following initial osteotomy. Patent osteotomy area on the second and the third weeks in each group were calculated by using a computer software on digital micrographs. RESULTS： The patent osteotomy areas at the second and the third weeks were significantly larger in the enoxaparin-treated group than those of the control group （P〈0.001 for each time-period）. In the control group, the patent osteotomy area at the third week of healing was significantly smaller than that of the second week （P=0.003）, whereas there was no significant difference between these two measurements in the enoxaparin-treated group （P=0.185）. CONCLUSION： Short -term administration of enoxaparin resultes in a significant alteration in bone healing at 14 and 21d after injury. LMWHs can be regarded as promising alternative adjuvants in dacryocystorhinostomy after being evaluated with further clinical and animal studies,

Effects of low molecular weight heparin-superoxide dismutase conjugate on serum levels of nitric oxide,glutathione peroxidase,and myeloperoxidase in a gerbil model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

BACKGROUND： Several studies have demonstrated that low molecular weight heparin-superoxide dismutase （LMWH-SOD） conjugate may exhibit good neuroprotective effects on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury though anticoagulation, decreasing blood viscosity, having anti-inflammatory activity, and scavenging oxygen free radicals. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the intervention effects of LMWH-SOD conjugate on serum levels of nitric oxide （NO）, glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px）, and myeloperoxidase （MPO） following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled, and neurobiochemical experiment was performed at the Institute of Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University between April and July 2004. MATERIALS： A total of 60 Mongolian gerbils of either gender were included in this study. Total cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury was induced in 50 gerbils by occluding bilateral common carotid arteries. The remaining 10 gerbils received a sham-operation （sham-operated group）. Kits of SOD, NO, and MPO were sourced from Nanjing Jiancheng Bioengineering Institute, China. LMWH, SOD, and LMWH-SOD conjugates were provided by Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnique, Shandong University, China. METHODS： Fifty successful gerbil models of total cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury were evenly randomized to five groups： physiological saline, LMWH-SOD, SOD, LMWH ＋ SOD, and LMWH. At 2 minutes prior to ischemia, 0.5 mL/65 g physiological saline, 20 000 U/kg LMWH-SOD conjugate, 20 000 U/kg SOD, a mixture of SOD （20 000 U/kg） and LMWH （LMWH dose calculated according to weight ratio, LMWH： SOD = 23.6：51）, and LMWH （dose as in the LMWH ＋ SOD group） were administered through the femoral artery in each above-mentioned group, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Serum levels of NO, MPO, and GSH-Px. RESULTS： Compared with 10 sham-operated gerbils, the cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury gerbils exhibited decreased serum levels of GSH-Px and increased serum levels of NO and MPO （P 〈 0.01）. The serum level of GSH-Px was significantly upregulated in all groups, in particular in the LMWH-SOD group （P 〈 0.01）, compared with the physiological saline group （P 〈 0.05-0.01）. Following medical treatment, serum levels of NO and MPO were significantly downregulated in all groups, in particular in the LMWH-SOD group （P 〈 0.01）. Serum levels of GSH-Px, NO, and MPO in the LMWH-SOD group were close to those in the sham-operated group （P 〉 0.05）. CONCLUSION： In cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, LMWH-SOD conjugate exhibits stronger neuroprotective effects on free radical scavenging, inflammation inhibition, and cytotoxicity inhibition than simple or combined application of LMWH and SOD by downregulating NO and MPO levels and upregulating the GSH-Px level.

LOW MOLECULAR WEIGHT HEPARIN ENHANCES THE EFFECT OF aFGF IN ACCELERATING NEOVASCULA-RIZATION

Objective To explore the potential of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in combination cooperated with aFGF in accelerating neovascularization in vivo. Methods Ischemic model was set up in the right hindlimbs of 28 New Zealand white rabbits. Four groups of animals treated with saline, LMWH, aFGF and aFGF plus LMWH were allocated equally in group Ⅰ, group Ⅱ, group Ⅲ and group Ⅳ respectively. Vascular neovascularization and smooth muscular thickness of the ischemic hindlimb vessels of each animal in different groups were compared with each other on the 28th day postoperatively by angiography with DSA and the standard immunoperoxidase technique. Results No significant neovascularization was seen when aFGF adiministered in low dosage by venous infusion. But when the same dosage of aFGF plus LMWH were administered by venous infusion, a significant neovascularization was observed. Conclusion LMWH can potentiate aFGF in accelerating neovascularization.

Evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of direct oral anticoagulants and low molecular weight heparin in gastrointestinal cancer-associated venous thromboembolism

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal cancer(GICA)is associated with a higher incidence of venous thromboembolism(VTE)compared to other solid tumors,moreover,recurrent VTE and major bleeding(MB)complications during anticoagulation treatment have an associated increase rate.GICA-VTE remains a challenging clinical scenario with MB concerns for utilization of direct oral anticoagulants(DOAC),especially with active cancer therapies.AIM To evaluate patient risk factors,effectiveness(VTE)and safety(MB)of DOACs and low molecular weight heparin(LMWH)in patients with active GICA-VTE.METHODS A retrospective chart review of patients receiving DOACs and LMWH with GICA and symptomatic or incidental VTE treated at comprehensive cancer center from November 2013 to February 2017 was performed.Inclusion criteria included active GI cancer diagnosed at any stage or treatment+/-6 mo of VTE diagnosis,whom were prescribed 6 mo or more of DOACs or LMWH.The Chi-squared test was used for overall and the Fisher exact test for pairwise comparisons of the proportions of patients experiencing recurrent VTE and MB events.Odds ratios were used to compare the relative odds of the occurrence of the outcome given exposure to the risk factor.RESULTS A total of 144 patients were prescribed anticoagulation,in which 106 fulfilled inclusion criteria apixaban(27.3%),rivaroxaban(34.9%)and enoxaparin(37.7%),and 38 were excluded.Patients median age was 66.5 years at GICA diagnosis and 67 years at CAVTE event,with 62%males,80%Caucasian,70%stage IV,pancreatic cancer(40.5%),30%Khorana Score(≥3 points),and 43.5%on active chemotherapy.Sixty-four percent of patients completed anticoagulation therapy(range 1 to 43 mo).Recurrent VTE at 6 mo was noted in 7.5%(n=3),6.8%(n=2)and 2.7%(n=1)of patients on enoxaparin,apixaban and rivaroxaban,respectively(all P=NS).MB at 6 mo were 5%(n=2)for enoxaparin,6.8%(n=2)for apixaban and 21.6%(n=8)for rivaroxaban(overall P=0.048;vs LMWH P=0.0423;all other P=NS).Significant predictors of a primary or secondary outcome for all anticoagulation therapies included:Active systemic treatment(OR=5.1,95%CI:1.3-19.3),high Khorana Score[≥3 points](OR=5.5,95%CI:1.7-17.1),active smoker(OR=6.7,95%CI:2.1-21.0),pancreatic cancer(OR=6.8,95%CI:1.9-23.2),and stage IV disease(OR=9.9,95%CI:1.2-79.1).CONCLUSION Rivaroxaban compared to apixaban and enoxaparin had a significantly higher risk of MB on GICA-VTE patients with equivocal efficacy.

Recurrent Implantation Failure and Low Molecular Weight Heparin

Implantation of the embryo into the endometrium is the first step in the establishment of pregnancy. This process is complex, and depends on many factors. Recurrent implantation failure is a source of distress to patients and specialists. It is defined as failure to achieve a viable pregnancy, following “>3 embryo transfers with high quality embryos or the transfer of ≥ 10 embryos in multiple transfers”. Thrombophilic conditions that contribute to recurrent implantation failure are the main concern in this review. The mechanism of implantation failure is believed to be due to decreased blood flow to the endometrium and placenta which can hinder normal endometrial receptivity leading to miscarriage. Defects in early placentation resulting in pregnancy failure, have focused attention on the therapeutic potential of low molecular weight heparin in the implantation process. Heparin has a role at all stages of implantation to improve pregnancy outcomes. There are controversies in literature regarding the association between thrombophilia and recurrent implantation failure and available literature regarding this issue is very heterogeneous. Various investigators, have shown that women with RIF are more likely to have a thrombophilia disorder, yet a clear cause cannot be acknowledged from these studies. Heparin treatment has been evaluated in several studies, showing conflicting evidence. However, several studies have pointed out that it may play a role in a subset of patients who presents a thrombophilia mutation, thus the group of patients that might benefit is needed to be identified. This review is dedicated to evaluate the published literature about the role of low molecular weight heparin in case of recurrent implantation failure with or without the presence of thrombophilia.

In vivo biodistribution of topical low molecular weight heparin-taurocholate in a neovascularized mouse cornea

AIM： To investigate the ocular biodistribution and clearance of topically administered 7-taurocholic acid conjugated low-molecular weight heparin（LHT7） in a neovascularized mouse cornea using an in vivo optical imaging system. METHODS： A total of 10 eyes of 6 to 8-week-old BALB/c mice were analyzed. Corneal neovascularization（CoNV） was induced in the inferior cornea（IC） of each animal by penetrating the stroma with two interrupted sutures. The development of CoNV was verified after one week and the area of each neovascularized region was measured. A near-infrared fluorescent probe of 20 μmol/L Cy5.5 labeled LHT7（LHT7-Cy5.5） in 0.02 mL solution was topically instilled onto the cornea in the experimental group（n=5）. Free-Cy5.5 of 20 μmol/L in 0.02 mL was instilled in the control group（n=5）. In vivo optical images were obtained before instillation and 5 min, 2, 4, and 6 h after instillation. The intensities were separately measured at the superior cornea（SC） and the IC. RESULTS： The mean CoNV areas were 1.97±0.17 mm^2 and 1.92±0.96 mm^2 in the experimental and control groups, respectively（P=0.832）. The SC remained normal in all 10 subject animals. The IC intensity of the LHT7-Cy5.5 was greater than the SC intensity at 5 min（P=0.038）, 2 h（P=0.041）, and 4 h（P=0.041） after application. The IC intensity fell to less than half of its initial value（42.9%±8.6%） at 6 h in the experimental group. In the control mice, here were no significant differences in the free-Cy5.5 intensity between the IC and SC. CONCLUSION： Topically administered LHT7 shows a high biodistribution in CoNV areas for 4 h and should be reapplied accordingly to maintain its effects. In vivo optical imaging can be a useful tool for evaluating the ocular biodistribution of a drug in an animal model.

Effect of low molecular weight heparin on pancreatic microcirculation in severe acute pancreatitis in a rodent model

Background Alleviation of microcirculation disorders in severe acute pancreatitis （SAP） can improve survival rates, and low molecular weight heparin （LMWH） is well known to have potent ameliorative effect on microcirculation disorders caused by anti-coagulant activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of LMWH on pancreatic microcirculation in SAP in rats. Methods SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups： sham operation （S） group, SAP group, and LMWH treatment （LT） group. The concentrations of serum amylase, tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-α）, endothelin-1 （ET-1）, pancreatic ultrastructure were examined at 24 hours after the models were set up in each group. Results Compared with S group, the concentration of serum amylase, ET-1, and TNF-α in SAP group were significantly increased （P〈0.001）; After LMWH treatment, the concentration of serum amylase, ET-1, TNF-α were decreased significantly compared with SAP group （P〈0.001, 0.01, 0.001, respectively）. On electron microscopy, the microthrombosis in LT group was significantly less than that in SAP group. The 3-day survival rate in SAP group （25.0%） was significantly lower than that in S group （100.0%, P〈0.05） and in LT group （87.5%, P〈0.05）. Conclusions The disorder of pancreatic microcirculation may be involved in the inflammatory response of rats with SAP. LMWH can effectively improve the survival rate of SAP, and alleviate the severity of microcirculation disorders through its antithrombin effects and down-regulate the levels of serum ET-1 and TNF-α.

Low molecular weight heparin suppresses lymphatic endothelial cell proliferation induced by vascular endothelial growth factor C in vitro

Background Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive human malignancies. Lymphangiogenesis plays an important role in lymph node metastasis of many solid tumors. It is well known that low molecular weight heparins （LMWHs） can inhibit cell growth, cell invasion and angiogenesis, which are key processes in tumor progression. Methods We measured the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor C （VEGF-C） in pancreatic cancer cells （PANC-1） using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） and Western blotting. We used an in vitro assay to evaluate the anti-lymphangiogenic effect of an LMWH, Fragmin, on human lymphatic endothelial cell （HLEC） proliferation. Results Fragmin at a low concentration can effectively inhibits HLEC proliferation induced by VEGF-C. VEGF-C secreted by PANC-1 cells stimulated HLEC proliferation. Low concentration LMWH suppressed HLEC proliferation induced by VEGF-C but did not affect proliferation or VEGF-C expression of PANC-1 cells, whereas high concentrations of LMWH inhibited PANC-1 cell proliferation. Conclusions These results suggest that VEGF-C released by cancer cells plays an important role in promoting HLEC proliferation. The LMWH Fragmin has anti-lymphangiogenic effects and may inhibit lymphatic metastasis in pancreatic cancer.

Optimal time to use low molecular weight heparin on prethrombotic state of rat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease model

Background Low molecular weight heparin （LMWH）,as one of anticoagulant drugs,has been used for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） with prethrombotic state,but the specific use time is unclear.The aim of the study is to observe the effect of LMWH at two different periods of prethrombotic state in COPD in rats and to find the optimal time to use LMWH.Methods Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups：normal control,raised for 55 days without any treatment; COPD control without LMWH,cigarette inhalation plus intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide and hypodermic injection of normal saline once a day for 10 days; COPD control given LMWH 150 U/kg subcutaneous injection,once a day for 10 days starting day 15 （LMWH-d15）; COPD control given LMWH 150 U/kg subcutaneous injection,once a day for 10 days starting day 29 （LMWH-d29）.Results Comparing LMWH-d15 with LMWH-d29,plasma viscosity,whole blood viscosity,von Willebrand factor,serum fibrinogen,plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and fibrin D-dimer were each significantly reduced; but thrombin plasminogen activator increased significantly whilst arterial PO2 and PCO2 improved significantly.Conclusion The better time to use LMWH is the time when coagulation and fibrinolytic indices begin to change in COPD.

A botanical medicine dragon’s blood exhibited clinical antithrombosis efficacy similar to low molecular weight heparin

Deep vein thrombosis(DVT)is a common complication following traumatic fracture with a 0.5%–1%annual incidence.Low molecular weight heparin(LMWH)is the most commonly used anticoagulation drug for DVT prevention,but treatment with LMWH is invasive.Our aim is to compare the antithrombotic effect of dragon’s blood,an oral botanical anticoagulant medicine approved by the Chinese FDA,with LMWH in patients undergoing hip fracture surgery and to explore the molecular mechanisms of anticoagulation treatment.Our study recruited patients and divided them into LMWH and dragon’s blood treatment group.Coagulation index tests,Doppler ultrasound and mRNA sequencing were performed before and after anticoagulation therapy.There was no significant difference in postoperative DVT incidence between the two groups(23.1%versus 15.4%,P=0.694).D-dimer(D-D)and fibrinogen degradation product(FDP)showed significant reductions in both groups after anticoagulation treatments.We identified SLC4A1,PROS1,PRKAR2B and seven other genes as being differentially expressed during anticoagulation therapy in both groups.Genes correlated with coagulation indexes were also identified.Dragon’s blood and LMWH showed similar effects on DVT and produced similar gene expression changes in patients undergoing hip fracture surgery,indicating that dragon’s blood is a more convenient antithrombosis medicine(oral)than LMWH(hypodermic injection).

Low molecular weight heparin microcapsule coated occluder for atrial-septal defects

Background Whether the low molecular weight heparin microcapsule coated occluder is helpful to endothelialization in atrial-septal defect models is uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the best conditions for low molecular weight heparin coated NiTi alloy occluder and provide the evidence of the efficacy and safety of atrial-septal defect occluders in vivo. Methods Low molecular weight heparin microcapsules were investigated using gelatin as microcapsule material. The prepared low molecular weight heparin gelatin particles were subjected to nickel and titanium alloy occluder coating by sodium hyaluronate. A dog model of atrial septal defects was established after treatment with low molecular weight heparin microcapsule coated occluder （n=4） and uncoated occluder （n=4）. Endotheliocytes and fibroblastic cells in occluders were observed. And the rate of endothelialization was detected. Results When the concentration of gelatin was 1%, the diameters of particles were mostly about 100 μm, and the particle size was uniform. The envelope efficiency of low molecular weight heparin microcapsule was about 80%. The endothelialization of occluder in the model was more obvious in the coated group than in the uncoated group （P 〈0.0001）. Conclusions Low molecular weight heparin can be prepared into microcapsules with their particle size in nanometric grade. The antithrombotic properties are kept in the nickel and titanium alloy occluder successfully coated with sodium hyaluronate. The endothelialization after the interventional occlusion in the coated group is obvious, indicating that low molecular weight heparin is helpful to the growth of endothelial cells in the occlude and the healing after the interventional occlusion.

Effects of low molecular weight heparin on clot rate and activated clotting time： an in vitro study

Background Due to lack of point-of-care testing, the use of low-molecular-weight heparin （LMWH） therapy in some special patients is restricted. This study was designed to explore the effects of LMWH on clot rate （CR） and activated clotting time （ACT）, and to search for an appropriate method for bedside monitoring of anticoagulant activity of LMWH. Methods Thirty-two healthy volunteers were selected from the staff of Beijing Tongren Hospital. CR and ACT were measured with different reagents （glass beads, diatomite, kaolin and magnetic bar） on blood samples spiked with increasing concentrations of LMWH （dalteparin, 0.2-1.8 IU/ml）. Correlations between concentrations of LMWH and values of CR and ACT were analysed based on the data obtained and regression analysis was performed to establish a regression equation. Results With the increase in doses of dalteparin, CR values reduced gradually. The values of CR of four reagents （glass beads, diatomite, kaolin and magnetic bar） were 20.4-4.5 IU/min, 27.4-6.9 IU/min, 27.5-7.9 IU/min and 7.8-0.1 IU/min respectively and an linear relationship was observed between the CR values and dalteparin concentrations （P〈0.05）. The values of ACT were 173-615 seconds, 130-270 seconds, 123-226 seconds, 337-1411 seconds respectively, which showed a linear regression between the ACT values and dalteparin concentrations （P〈0.01）. Differences in slope of the regression curves of ACT were observed with all the reagents tested （glass beads 248.2 s/IU, diatomite 74.8 s/IU, kaolin 58.2 s/IU and magnetic bar 1112.2 s/IU, P〈0.01）. While the minimum concentration of dalteparin was 0.2 IU/ml, 0.4 IU/ml, 1.4 IU/ml and 0.2 IU/ml separately, the ACT values of the four coagulants （glass beads, diatomite, kaolin and magnetic bar） were beyond the normal limit and showed a noticeable increase respectively （P〈0.01）. Conclusions This study showed that there was an excellent linear relationship between the CR and ACT values and dalteparin concentrations for all the four reagents （glass beads, diatomite, kaolin and magnetic bar） in vitro. The sensitivity of different coagulation reagents to LMWH different. Choosing a suitable reagent, both CR and ACT were possible to be used as a convenient bedside test for LMWH.

Attenuation of corneal neovascularization by topical low-molecular-weight heparin-taurocholate 7 without bleeding complication

AIM：To investigate the antiangiogenic effects and safety of topically administered low-molecular-weight heparintaurocholate 7（LHT7） on corneal neovascularization（CoNV）.METHODS：Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly distributed into four groups of six rats each.The central corneas were cauterized using a silver/potassium nitrate solution.From 2d after cauterization,12.5 mg/mL（low LHT7 group） or 25 mg/mL（high LHT7group） LHT7 was topically administered three times daily;12.5 mg/mL bevacizumab was topically administered as positive control（bevacizumab） group,with normal saline（NS） administered as negative control（NS group）.The corneas were digitally photographed to calculate the CoNV percentage from the neovascularized corneal area at 1 and 2wk.RESULTS：The 4 study groups did not have different CoNV percentages at 1wk after injury（P〉0.05）.However,the low LHT,high LHT,and bevacizumab groups had significantly lower CoNV percentages than the NS group at 2wk（all P〈0.05）.No significant differences in CoNV percentage were found among the low LHT,high LHT,and bevacizumab groups（all P〉0.05）.All groups except the NS group had lower CoNV percentages at 2wk postinjury than the levels observed at 1wk（all P〈0.05）.CONCLUSION：Topically-administered LHT7 inhibited CoNV without complication after chemical cauterization in the rat.

Impact of Pharmaceutical Care on Self-Administration of Outpatient Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin Therapy

Outpatient subcutaneous (s.c.) therapies are becoming more and more common in the treatment of different diseases. The effectiveness of community-pharmacy-based interventions in preventing problems that arise during s.c. self-injections of low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWH) is unknown. Our objective was to provide a standard operating procedure (SOP) for community pharmacists and to compare pharmaceutical vs. standard care in both clinical and daily life settings. We hypothesized that: pharmaceutical care results in improved adherence, safety, and satisfaction, and in fewer complications;the interventions used are feasible in daily life;and the results achieved in clinical and daily life settings are comparable. In the clinical setting (randomized controlled trial), patients were recruited sequentially in hospital wards;in the daily life setting (quasi-experimental design with a comparison group), recruitment took place in community pharmacies by pharmacists and trained master students during their internship. Interventions were offered according to patient needs. Data were collected by means of a monitored self-injection at home and structured questionnaire-based telephone interviews at the beginning and the end of the LMWH treatment. The main outcome measures were: scores to assess patient’s skills;syringe count to assess adherence;and frequency, effectiveness, and patient’s assessment of received interventions. The results show a median age of the 139 patients of 54 years. Interventions resulted in improved application quality (p p = 0.03). Oral instructions were pivotal for improving patients’ application quality. We found no significant score differences between the intervention groups in the clinical and daily life settings. Patients’ baseline skills were high, with the lowest score being 0.86 (score range ?2.00 to +2.00). Adherence rate was high (95.8%). In conclusion, our SOP for pharmacist interventions was of good quality, adequate, appreciated, and feasible in daily life. Patients are capable of managing s.c. injection therapies if adequate assistance is provided.

Evaluation of a Dose-Monitoring Method for Prophylactic Anticoagulant Therapy with Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin

Objective: In the present study, we report on the results of our investigation of optimum dose monitoring using coagulation and fibrinolytic system indicators during obstetric prophylactic anticoagulant therapy with enoxaparin. Study Design: Of 103 cases of cesarean section performed at our hospital, 37 cases were selected for this study after obtain ing their consent for blood collection. Variables of the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems [anti-factor Xa activity, endogenous thrombin potential (ETP), prothrombin time (PT) or international normalized ratio (INR), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and D-dimer levels] were determined. Results: In the 5-day administration group, the anti-factor Xa activitywas 0.0 U/ml on the postoperative day 1, increased to 0.05 U/ml ± 0.04 U/ml on the postoperative day 3, and mildly increased to 0.06 U/ml ± 0.05 U/ml on the postoperative day 5. On the other hand, the anti-factor Xa activity in the 3-day administration group was 0.0 U/ml on the postoperative day 1 (before enoxaparin administration), increased to 0.06 U/ml ± 0.05 U/ml on the postoperative day 3, and significantly decreased to 0.02 U/ml ± 0.03 U/ml on the postoperative day 5 (p = 0.003);thus, the pattern of change was significantly different from that in the 5-day administration group (p = 0.004). Enoxaparin administration did not result in any significant fluctuation of the ETP, and no significant difference was observed between the 5-day and 3-day administration groups. Conclusion: Enoxaparin administration was associated with increase of the anti-factor Xa activity, and prolonged administration led to more sustained increase of the activity.

The Safety and Feasibility of Low-Molecular-Weight He-parin Prophylaxis in Major Abdominal Surgery Combined with Neuraxial Anesthesia

Background: Global guidelines for venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis of patients undergoing major surgery are well established. However, their applicability and safety in patients receiving neuraxial anesthesia is unproven. We sought to evaluate the safety and feasibility of chemical VTE prophylaxis in a prospective group of patients undergoing major foregut procedures under a combination of epidural and general anesthesia. Methods: A prospective database of all patients undergoing major foregut surgery from 2004-2009 was maintained and analyzed. Epidural catheters were placed pre-operatively and used for post-operative analgesia for three days in all patients. Factors evaluated included age, ethnicity, sex, length of stay, duration of epidural placement, complications of epidural placement and post-operative management, and VTE events. A uniform protocol was followed regarding the timing of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) administration with epidural catheter insertion/removal. Results: A total of 237 patients formed the study group. The mean age was 57 years (range, 19 - 88) among 121 (51.1%) women and 65 years (range, 20 - 95) among 116 (48.9%) men. One hundred and sixty-six patients were Caucasian (70%), 37 Black (15.6%), 15 Hispanic (6.3%), 12 Asian/Pacific (5.1%), and 7 other (3%). All epidural catheters were removed on the third post-operative day. There were a total of five VTE (2.1%) events postoperatively. No peri-operative or post-operative epidural catheter associated complications occurred. Conclusions: Concomitant epidural catheterization and LMWH anticoagulation is safe and feasible in major abdominal surgery patients, including those undergoing major hepatic resection. Guidelines for VTE prophylaxis and LMWH administration in the setting of neuraxial anesthesia are well established and applicable to this unique patient population.