Table 1 Summary of VTE and Major Bleeding Rates in Trials Comparing Primary Thromboprophylaxis Strategies in Cancer Patients

[39]

Abdominal, thoracic

Orgaran 750 IU BID

Asymptomatic VTE: ¹²⁵I-fibrinogen and venography.

Symptomatic VTE: DVT - venography; PE - chest X-ray, VPS

10.4

9.0 (overall)

UFH 5,000 U BID

14.9

10.6 (overall)

[40]

Abdominal, pelvic

Enoxaparin 40 mg SC

Symptomatic and asymptomatic VTE: DVT - venography; PE - VPS, pulmonary angiography

14.7

14.6 (minor)

4.1 (major)

UFH 5,000 IU SC TID

18.2

14.3 (minor)

2.9 (major)

[41]

Gynecological

Embolex 3,000 IU OD

Asymptomatic VTE: impedance plethysmography, phlebography

6.3

16.9 (wound hematoma)

UFH 5,000 IU TID

6.1

28.7 (wound hematoma)

[42]

Gynecological

Enoxaparin 2,500 IU OD

Symptomatic VTE: DVT - ultrasonography, venography; PE - VPS, pulmonary anteriography

None

No significant difference (rates not given)

UFH 5,000 IU TID

None

[43]

Colorectal (all patients)^†

Enoxaparin 40 mg SC OD

Symptomatic and asymptomatic VTE: DVT - ultrasonography, venography; PE - VPS, ultrasonography, venography, pulmonary angiography

9.4

10.1 (total) 2.7 (major)

UFH 5,000 IU SC TID

9.4

6.2 (total) 1.5 (major)

Cancer sub-group

Enoxaparin 40 mg SC OD

13.9

Not reported

UFH 5,000 IU SC TID

16.9

[44]

Abdominal (all patients)^†

Dalteparin 5,000 IU OD

Symptomatic and asymptomatic VTE: DVT - ultrasonography, venography; PE - lung scan, pulmonary angiography, helical computed tomography, autopsy

6.1

2.5 (major)

Fondaparinux 2.5 mg SC OD

4.6

3.4 (major)

Cancer sub-group

Dalteparin 5,000 IU OD

7.7

Not reported

Fondaparinux 2.5 mg SC OD

4.7

[45]

Colorectal

Enoxaparin 40 mg SC OD

Symptomatic and asymptomatic VTE: DVT - ultrasonography, venography; PE pulmonary angiography, autopsy

12.6

11.5 (major)

Nadroparin 2,850 IU OD

15.9

7.3 (major)