Table 7.

Unfractionated Heparin Versus LMW Heparin as Treatment of Acute Venous Thromboemblolism in SCI

Author/ Year/ Country/ PEDro/ D&B scores	Eligibility Criteria	Study Design and Methods	Outcome Measures	Results
Tomaio et al, 199830 USA D&B=11	Inclusion: not specified. Exclusion: not specified.	Case series-3 SCI patients were given intravenous heparin followed by warfarin, while 3 were treated with s/c enoxaparin followed by warfarin.	Cost analysis.	The average cost of initial anticoagulation of group 1 (intravenous heparin) patients was $413.33 (range, $331.20–$502.80), which included the costs of heparin, IV pump and tubing, and laboratory monitoring of the PTT. The average cost in group 2 (enoxaparin) patients was $362.27 (range, $197.60–$617.50), which included just the cost of medication. Enoxaparin was slightly less expensive (mean cost of enoxaparin = $362.27, intravenous heparin = $413.33) when peripheral costs taken into account. Subcutaneous enoxaparin was safe, cost-effective, and less labor- intensive, in the treatment of DVT post-SCI.

Abbreviation: D&B, Downs and Black quality assessment scale score.²²