Treatment of Deep Vein Thrombosis with Low Molecular Weight Heparin at Patient's Home.

We have applied the low molecular weight heparin dalteparin as once-daily subcutaneous injections to the treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) on an outpatient basis since 1994. Until today, 377 consecutive patients with DVT below the inguinal ligament have been treated at home with dalteparin. The patients administered the injections themselves or with the help of either a relative or a primary nurse. Here we report the outcome of the 212 patients treated during 1994-1995, which has been followed for 2 years after the start of treatment. At the 2-year follow-up only 13 patients (6.6%) had suffered a recurrent DVT and of these none were on continuous dicumarol treatment. No cases of major bleedings were seen. This new therapeutic approach for the treatment of DVT is safe, most of the patients are able to treat themselves, and the patients are satisfied with the home treatment model.