Low molecular weight heparin induces a higher anti factor Xa (a-Xa) and a lower antithrombin activity in plasma in comparison to conventional heparin. From this constellation a more pronounced antithrombotic effect and a minor incidence of bleeding Complications has been suggested.Therefore the antithrombotic activity of heparins was studied in a standardized experimental thrombosis model in rabbits. Three low molecular weight heparins with a mean molecular weight of 4.200 (heparin I),4.000 (heparin II),4.600 Dalton (heparin III) and standard heparin were tested at different dosages in 120 experiments. In the first series the dose of 60 anti Xa units (a-Xa U) given initially and 60 a-Xa U/kg/h induced a reduction of the thrombus size by 40 % (heparin I),37 % (heparin II) and 53 % (heparin III) and a prolongation of the aPTT to 45 (heparin I),66 (heparin II) and 79 sec (heparin III). The a-Xa activity was minor than 0.1 U/ml. In the second series heparins were given to aim at an a-Xa activity of 0.2-0.3 U/ml. Thereby the thrombus formation could be reduced by 84 % (heparin I), 62 % (heparin II) and 39 % (heparin III). aPTT and a-Xa activity were measured at 65.5 sec and 0.22 a-Xa U/ml (heparin I),67.3 sec and 0.3 a-Xa U/ml (heparin II) and 67.5 and 0.31 a-Xa U/ml (heparin III),respectively. In the third series the increase of the a-Xa activity to more than 0.3 U/ml showed no further reduction of the thrombus formation by heparin I, while heparins II and III already at this level reachedthe antithrombotic activity of heparin I.Our data on three different low molecular weight heparins demonstrate that already a heparin level ranging at a minimal a-Xa activity induces a clear and statistically significant antithrombotic effect. A higher heparin dosage with higher a-Xa activity increases the antithrombitic effect. At a level of 0.2-0.3 a-Xa U/ml an obvious and maximum effect could be reached, but the further elevation of the a-Xa activity produced no further antithrombotic action.
Comparison between direct factor Xa inhibitors and low-molecular-weight heparin for efficacy and safety in the treatment of cancer-associated venous thromboembolism: A meta-analysis
