Comparison of Cost of In-Hospital Standard Heparin Therapy with Low-Molecular Weight Heparin in an Outpatient Setting in DVT Patients

Background- Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a fast-growing disease which is being dedicatedsignificant human and financial resources. The objective of the current study was to compare the cost of current methods of heparin therapy; unfractioned heparin (UFH) and lowmolecular weight heparin (LMWH), in the treatment of deep venous thrombosis. Methods- This was a cross-sectional study on 146 patients with DVT which was carried out at the cardiology ward between 2002 and 2004. The number of admission days and the total inpatient and out-patient costs of therapy were evaluated. Results- The results revealed that in-patient treatment with standard heparin (UFH) cost US $240. with a mean 8.5 days of hospital stay, while treatment with LMWH (Enoxaparin) cost US $80. Conclusion- 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, costeffectiveness and better individual and social activities during the treatment period, it is suggested that LMWH at least be used in low-risk patients instead of intravenous heparin, also sparing them hospital admission