Effects of three months of low molecular weight heparin (dalteparin) treatment after bypass surgery for lower limb ischemia--a randomised placebo-controlled double blind multicentre trial.

Objectives: To test the hypothesis that long-term postoperative dalteparin (Fragmin), Pharmacia Corp) treatment improves primary patency of peripheral arterial bypass grafts (PABG) in lower limb ischemia patients on acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) treatment.

Design: Prospective randomised double blind multicenter study.

Materials And Methods: Using a computer algorithm 284 patients with lower limb ischemia, most with pre-operative ischemic ulceration or partial gangrene, from 12 hospitals were randomised, after PABG, to 5000 IU dalteparin or placebo injections once daily for 3 months.

Long-term prognosis for patients with chronic leg ulcers: a prospective cohort study.

Objectives: To assess the long-term prognosis of leg ulcers.

Design: A 5 year prospective cohort study.

Materials: A random sample of 382 patients with open leg ulcers (foot ulcers included) treated in the community.

The prevalence of chronic lower-limb ulceration has been underestimated: results of a validated population questionnaire.

A validated population questionnaire was used to survey 12,000 randomly selected inhabitants, aged 50-89 years, in two defined regions of Sweden. The sample included 7 per cent of the total population in the age interval. Overall response rate was 91 per cent.

Low molecular weight heparin started before surgery as prophylaxis against deep vein thrombosis: 2500 versus 5000 XaI units in 2070 patients.

The optimal administration regimens of low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs) have not yet been established. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of 2500 and 5000 XaI units of the LMWH dalteparin in patients undergoing elective general surgery for malignant and benign abdominal disease. Prophylaxis was started in the evening before surgery and given once-daily every evening thereafter.

Venous and non-venous leg ulcers: clinical history and appearance in a population study.

In a defined Swedish population of 270,800, all patients with current chronic leg ulcers (827) were identified and a random sample of 382 studied in detail. Ulcers of primarily venous cause comprised 54 per cent of the total, giving a point prevalence of 0.16 per cent (95 per cent confidence interval 0.