Biomaterial Database

Comparison of the cost of preventing postoperative deep vein thrombosis with either unfractionated or low molecular weight heparin. 1996

D Bergqvist, and B Lindgren, and T Mätzsch

Department of Surgery, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.

The relative costs were analysed of (1) no prophylaxis against deep vein thrombosis (DVT), (2) selective treatment of DVT after confirmation of diagnosis, (3) general prophylaxis with standard low-dose unfractionated heparin and (4) general prophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in patients undergoing elective general abdominal surgery or elective hip surgery. The mean calculated costs per patient undergoing general abdominal surgery were: Swedish crowns (SEK) 1950 for no prophylaxis, SEK 5710 for selective treatment of DVT, SEK 735 for prophylaxis with unfractionated heparin and SEK 665 for prophylaxis with LMWH. The corresponding costs for hip surgery were SEK 3930, SEK 10790, SEK 1730 and SEK 1390 respectively. Thus, the least expensive management strategy in patients undergoing elective general abdominal or hip surgery would appear to be general prophylaxis with either unfractionated heparin or LMWH. Furthermore, general prophylaxis with LMWH would appear to be more cost-effective than general prophylaxis with unfractionated heparin.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D003362	Cost-Benefit Analysis	A method of comparing the cost of a program with its expected benefits in dollars (or other currency). The benefit-to-cost ratio is a measure of total return expected per unit of money spent. This analysis generally excludes consideration of factors that are not measured ultimately in economic terms. In contrast a cost effectiveness in general compares cost with qualitative outcomes.	Cost and Benefit,Cost-Benefit Data,Benefits and Costs,Cost Benefit,Cost Benefit Analysis,Cost-Utility Analysis,Costs and Benefits,Economic Evaluation,Marginal Analysis,Analyses, Cost Benefit,Analysis, Cost Benefit,Analysis, Cost-Benefit,Analysis, Cost-Utility,Analysis, Marginal,Benefit and Cost,Cost Benefit Analyses,Cost Benefit Data,Cost Utility Analysis,Cost-Benefit Analyses,Cost-Utility Analyses,Data, Cost-Benefit,Economic Evaluations,Evaluation, Economic,Marginal Analyses
D006493	Heparin	A highly acidic mucopolysaccharide formed of equal parts of sulfated D-glucosamine and D-glucuronic acid with sulfaminic bridges. The molecular weight ranges from six to twenty thousand. Heparin occurs in and is obtained from liver, lung, mast cells, etc., of vertebrates. Its function is unknown, but it is used to prevent blood clotting in vivo and vitro, in the form of many different salts.	Heparinic Acid,alpha-Heparin,Heparin Sodium,Liquaemin,Sodium Heparin,Unfractionated Heparin,Heparin, Sodium,Heparin, Unfractionated,alpha Heparin
D006495	Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight	Heparin fractions with a molecular weight usually between 4000 and 6000 kD. These low-molecular-weight fractions are effective antithrombotic agents. Their administration reduces the risk of hemorrhage, they have a longer half-life, and their platelet interactions are reduced in comparison to unfractionated heparin. They also provide an effective prophylaxis against postoperative major pulmonary embolism.	LMWH,Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin,Low Molecular Weight Heparin,Heparin, Low Molecular Weight
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013548	Sweden	Country in northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Finland and Norway. The capital is Stockholm.
D013923	Thromboembolism	Obstruction of a blood vessel (embolism) by a blood clot (THROMBUS) in the blood stream.	Thromboembolisms
D013924	Thrombophlebitis	Inflammation of a vein associated with a blood clot (THROMBUS).	Phlegmasia Alba Dolens,Dolens, Phlegmasia Alba,Thrombophlebitides
D016063	Blood Loss, Surgical	Loss of blood during a surgical procedure.	Hemorrhage, Surgical,Surgical Blood Loss,Surgical Hemorrhage,Surgical Blood Losses,Surgical Hemorrhages
D016527	Drug Costs	The amount that a health care institution or organization pays for its drugs. It is one component of the final price that is charged to the consumer (FEES, PHARMACEUTICAL or PRESCRIPTION FEES).	Cost, Drug,Costs, Drug,Drug Cost