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Heparin

Starting treatment
Indications
Dosing and monitoring
Complications
Dosing and monitoring

Use aPTT to monitor - check the levels 6 hours after initial infusion then check daily. c
Aim for an aPTT ratio of 1.5 to 2.5 d  

Note:

  • Using an anti-factor Xa heparin assay is probably no better than aPTT for monitoring heparin dosing in patients requiring large amounts of heparin. d
  • There is no clear evidence to suggest that patients on iv heparin with subtherapeutic aPTT levels are at increased risk for recurrent venous thromboembolism. a

Expiry date: May 2003
Levels of Evidence used in grading these guides

With thanks to Drs. David Keeling, John Reynolds, David Sackett, Sharon Straus and Alan Townsend 
 for use of their anticoagulation guide on which this one is based.

Author   CM   Ball
Reviewer   A   Gallus
CAT Writer   CM   Ball