Thromboprophylaxis with low-molecular-weight heparin: economic considerations

Thomas Mätzsch

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Postoperative thromboembolic events are a major cost factor for every healthcare system. Although thromboprophylaxis carries its own costs, the application of a thromboprophylactic regimen is cost-effective in most instances, at least in high-risk patients. A regimen of general postoperative prevention of deep vein thrombosis is always more cost-effective than surveillance programmes with treatment after diagnosis, and is almost always more cost-effective than no prophylaxis. For patients with a high risk of postoperative thromboembolism, such as after orthopaedic surgery, low-molecular-weight heparins have a rather clear advantage over prophylaxis with unfractionated heparin and warfarin, also in terms of cost- effectiveness. With regard to moderate-risk patients, such as after general surgery, the economic benefits are less clear. However, since the results of economic analyses are heavily dependent on the healthcare system, and since there are methodological difficulties and uncertainties connected with the analyses, the implications are difficult -- if not impossible -- to generalize. There is an urgent need for further prospective studies, which should be performed with defined economic variables a priori and in close cooperation with health economists.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)141-145
JournalHaemostasis
Volume30
Issue numberSuppl. 2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2000

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)

  • Clinical Medicine

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