Comparison of cost of standard in-hospital heparin therapy with that of low-molecular weight heparin in an out-patient setting in patients with deep vein thrombosis

ABSTRACT

Deep venous thrombosis is an increasingly common disorder which consumes remarkable human and financial resources. The objective of the current study is to compare the cost of current methods of heparin therapy; unfractioned heparin [UFH] and low molecular weight heparin [LMWH], in deep venous thrombosis [DVT]. This was a cross-sectional study on 146 patients with DVT which was carried out at our cardiology ward between 2002 and 2004. The number of admission days and the total inpatient and out-patient costs of therapy were estimated. The results revealed that in-patient treatment with standard heparin [UFH] costs U.S. $240.00 with a mean of 8.5 days of hospital stay, while treatment with LMWH [enoxaparin] costs U.S. $80.00. Considering all the benefits of LMWH including desired efficacy, greater ease of administration, fewer laboratory monitoring requirements, earlier hospital discharge, feasibility of using LMWH safely on an outpatient basis instead of an in-patient basis, cost effectiveness and better individual and social activities during the treatment period, it is suggested that LMWH be used at least in low-risk patients instead of intravenous heparin, while also sparing them hospital admission