Unfractionated heparin for VTE prophylaxis

Unfractionated heparin (UFH) is preferred to LMWH for VTE prophylaxis in some circumstances, such as for patients with severe kidney impairment or when rapid reversal of anticoagulation may be necessary.

For UFH indications and duration for nonsurgical patients, see Examples of VTE prophylaxis for nonsurgical patients in hospital; for surgical patients, see VTE prophylaxis for surgical patients in hospital.

For VTE prophylaxis, 8-hourly dosing of UFH is more effective but has a higher bleeding risk than 12-hourly dosing. For VTE prophylaxis, use:

unfractionated heparin 5000 units subcutaneously, 8- to 12-hourly. unfractionated heparin heparin, unfractionated heparin, unfractionated