Low molecular weight heparin for thromboprophylaxis and epidural/spinal anaesthesia--is there a risk?

D Bergqvist, B Lindblad, Thomas Mätzsch

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This article reviews the problem of bleeding in connection with epidural/spinal anaesthesia, with special emphasis on the use of low molecular weight heparins for thromboprophylaxis. There are methodological difficulties to studying the problem in a scientifically correct way because of the rarity of the complication. However, from the data in the literature there are no indications of an increased risk in using the combination of low molecular weight heparin in prophylactic doses and epidural/spinal anaesthesia. So far, there is only a single case report, of spinal haematoma, although low molecular weight heparins have been used in combination with epidural/spinal anaesthesia in at least 1,000,000 patients. In controlled studies, at least 10,000 patients have been given the combination without complications.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)605-609
JournalActa Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
Volume36
Issue number7
Publication statusPublished - 1992

Bibliographical note

The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015.
The record was previously connected to the following departments: Emergency medicine/Medicine/Surgery (013240200)

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Anesthesiology and Intensive Care

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