Indications

• unstable angina ^a
• deep vein thrombosis ^a
• pulmonary embolism ^d
• cardioversion for atrial fibrillation ^d

Why?

• It has a more predictable dose-response ^d
• Monitoring is very rarely required ^d
• It is given subcutaneously, so patients are more mobile and can be discharged sooner or even not admitted ^a
• It is more cost-effective ^a
• It is as effective as heparin, and often more so ^a
• It causes less bleeding ^a and thrombocytopenia ^a

LMWH causes less thrombocytopenia than heparin

Patient	Treatment	Comparison	Outcome	CER	RRR (95% CI)	NNT (95% CI)
hip surgery a	LMWH for 14 days	heparin for 14 days	heparin-induced thrombocytopenia at 5 days	2.7%	100%	37 (22 to 100)