Dosage regimens for low molecular weight heparins differ

EDITOR—Grubb et al's editorial reviewed the use of subcutaneous heparin; the advantages in efficacy and simplicity in the treatment of thromboembolic disease and angina now seem clear.1 A potential difficulty, which is clear in the everyday use of these agents, is the differing dosages required. Because the agents are commonly prescribed in a busy on-call setting, calculation errors are also more likely to occur. Five agents are mentioned, of which three are available in the United Kingdom. The table shows the dosage regimens for these agents.

Other agents with similar indications will probably be licensed. Perhaps it would be useful for regulatory bodies to introduce a uniform system of equivalent doses, similar to that used in insulin prescription.

Epidural haematoma may occur after epidural and spinal regional anaesthesia

EDITOR—In their editorial Grubb et al reviewed the advantages of low molecular weight heparins over unfractionated heparin in a variety of clinical situations and pointed out that they …