A comprehensive review of mechanisms, efficacy and clinical implica tions of UFH and LMWH in anticoagulant therapy: A prospective oncotarget

Abstract

Author(s): Ramesh Bandla, Jaisatya Gowri Gogada, Sugunakar Vure, Praveen Boddana, Abdul Qadeer Mohammed, Rajesh Medisetty and Raghu Gogada*

Administering anticoagulant is critical during the treatment and prevention of the thromboembolic disorders, with Unfractionated Heparin (UFH) and Low Molecular Weight Heparins (LMWH) being widely used agents due to their potential and anticancer properties. However, while both employ a similar mechanism acting on thrombin and factor Xa through antithrombin, differ in their pharmacokinetics and dynamics significantly. A heparin type UFH has a short half-life, needs frequent visits from the patients for the purpose of monitoring and involves a higher danger of Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT). In such a way LMWHs usually guarantee predictable dosage, less demand for regular tests and low risk of HIT which make them more favourable in advanced medicine practices. This article compares UFH and LMWHs in terms of effectiveness and safety, differential dosages and administration for treatment of patients with thromboembolic events such as DVT, PE and during surgical perioperative interventions. Knowing the differences of both heparins and its efficiency might be useful for taking the right decision during therapy and thereby enhancing thromboembolic therapies.

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