ENOXAPARIN UTILIZATION EVALUATION IN A CARDIOVASCULAR TEACHING HOSPITAL

Drug utilization evaluation (DUE) is used to assess how a drug is prescribed
and administered. We studied the use of enoxaparin, a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) which
is widely used in cardiovascular patients as prophylactic or curative treatment.
Materials & Methods: In a retrospective study, medical records of 322 patients admitted to the
hospital for nine consecutive months starting from July 2012who had received enoxaparin were
reviewed. Purpose of administration and dosage were recorded and compared with published
guidelines for enoxaparin administration.
Results: The mean patient age was 61.15 ± 13.19. 88 patients (27.3%) received enoxaparin for
prophylactic and 234 patients (72.7%) received it as curative treatment. Prophylactic dose in 18
patients (20.45%) was according to published guidelines and in 70 patients (79.55%) more than
recommended dose. In those patients who had received enoxaparin as curative treatment, in 134
patients (57.27%) it was in accordance with the recommended dose. in 95 patients ( 40.6%) it was less
and in 5 patients ( 2.13%) was more than recommended dose. In three patients who had a glomerular
filtration rate (GFR) less than 30 ml/min, two patients received more and one patient received less
than appropriate dose.
Conclusion: The results indicate that in a large percentage of patients administered dose of enoxaparin
as prophylactic use was more than guideline's recommendations and conversely administrated dose for
curative treatment was less than recommended dose