Heparin and Low Molecular Weight Heparin in Thrombosis, Cancer, and Inflammatory Diseases

Despite the research and development efforts in newer anticoagulants, unfractionated heparin (UFH) and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) will continue to play a pivotal role in the management of thrombotic disorders. Although bleeding and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) represent major side effects of this drug, it has remained the anticoagulant of choice for the prophylaxis and treatment of arterial and venous thrombotic disorders, surgical anticoagulation, and interventional usage. It is the understanding of the structure of heparin that led to the development of LMWHs, synthetic hepari-nomimetics, antithrombin (AT), and anti-Xa agents.