Acute complications of unfractionated heparin thromboprophylaxis after cesarean delivery.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the relative safety of heparin thromboprophylaxis by comparing complication rates of 2 retrospective cohort groups.

STUDY

DESIGN

After a change in departmental protocol to include 3 doses of unfractionated heparin for all patients undergoing cesarean deliveries, complication rates of cesarean deliveries before (n=501) and after (n=500) the policy change were compared.

RESULTS

Outcomes for postoperative hematocrit, estimated blood loss, platelet counts, and wound complications were not different between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSION

This regimen of heparin does not increase adverse acute postoperative outcomes, but more research is required to determine if it is efficacious in reducing rates of veinous thromboembolism.