Background and objective: Patients with cirrhosis are simultaneously at an increased risk of bleeding and thrombosis. Studies comparing the safety of parenteral anticoagulants in this population are lacking. This study evaluated the safety of therapeutic unfractionated heparin versus low molecular weight heparin in patients with cirrhosis.
Methods: This system-wide, retrospective cohort study included adults with cirrhosis receiving unfractionated heparin or low molecular weight heparin for the treatment of acute venous thromboembolism. The primary endpoint was the incidence of major bleeding.
Results: Eighty-two patients were included in this study, with 52 receiving unfractionated heparin and 30 receiving low molecular weight heparin. More major bleeding occurred in the unfractionated heparin arm compared to the low molecular weight heparin arm (19.2% vs 0%, p = 0.010).
Conclusions: Low molecular weight heparin may be a safer option in patients with cirrhosis treated for acute venous thromboembolism, but future studies should confirm these findings.