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The effect of low molecular weight heparin (enoxaparin) on enhanced coagulation induced by crystalloid haemodilution *
Author(s) -
Llewellyn R. L.,
James M. F. M.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2044.2010.06475.x
Subject(s) - medicine , thrombelastography , saline , low molecular weight heparin , anesthesia , heparin , enoxaparin sodium , coagulation , hematocrit , surgery
Summary The purpose of this study was to establish whether a low molecular weight heparin (enoxaparin) attenuated or abolished the enhanced coagulation induced by crystalloid fluid therapy. Twenty young, healthy male volunteers were injected subcutaneously with either enoxaparin 40 mg or saline on two separate occasions one week apart, in a randomised, blinded study. Twelve hours later, a blood sample was taken for thrombelastography analysis and haematocrit. Saline 14 ml.kg −1 was then infused over thirty minutes and thrombelastography and haematocrit measurements repeated. There was a significant post‐dilutional difference in the alpha angle (p = 0.002) and k ‐time (p = 0.001) between the two groups. There was a trend towards reduced shortening of r ‐time in the enoxaparin group compared to the saline control (p = 0.18). The findings suggest that enoxaparin diminished acceleration of clot formation due to haemodilution.