BMJ  2006;332 (11 March), doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7541.0-a

Low molecular weight heparin preferred in palliative care

Palliative care inpatients at risk of thromboembolism find low molecular weight heparin more acceptable than wearing antiembolic stockings. In a qualitative study (p 577), Noble and colleagues interviewed 28 patients with advanced malignancy who were receiving low molecular weight heparin. Many of them thought that thrombophylaxis had a positive effect on their quality of life and gave them a feeling of safety. Thromboprophylaxis guidelines are urgently needed for palliative care inpatient units and hospices, say the authors.

Credit: TIM EVANS/SPL

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Relevant Article

Acceptability of low molecular weight heparin thromboprophylaxis for inpatients receiving palliative care: qualitative study

S I R Noble, A Nelson, C Turner, and I G Finlay
BMJ 2006 332: 577-580. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]