Utilisation and safety of low molecular weight heparins: prospective observational study in medical inpatients.

Aims: Low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs) are widely used as curative or preventive treatments of thromboembolic diseases. The aim of our study was to: investigate the pattern of prescription of LMWHs in different departments of French teaching hospitals; andestimate the incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) induced by LMWHs and associated risk factors for the occurrence of bleeding events.

Methods: This prospective study was performed in two teaching hospitals in Toulouse (south-western France) in March 1999 in different medical wards.