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Newer Form of Heparin Better at Preventing Clots After Stroke
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Page: << Prev | 1 | 2 Cost remains a potential issue, however, because enoxaparin is much more expensive than ordinary heparin. Sherman's group is working on an analysis determining the economic impact of a shift to using enoxaparin on the total cost of treating stroke.
One prior study has indicated that introducing the drug might actually lead to cost reductions, said Dr. Richard M. Weinberg, chief quality officer of the Stamford Health System in Connecticut. His team tracked costs across 33 hospitals.
"On average, there is a big cost difference between the two: $1-a-day for heparin, $25 a day for Lovenox," he said. However, "over six years, when we looked at all the adult discharges and made adjustments for [illness] severity and risk, overall it was cheaper to treat with Lovenox."
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There are several possible explanations for the lower overall cost, Weinberg said. "Most patients getting Lovenox can be managed without the frequent tests needed for heparin," he said. "In addition to reduced laboratory testing, a reduction in the length of stay and less time spent in the ICU [intensive care unit] are possible explanations."
More information
Learn more about stroke treatment at the American Heart Association.
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Copyright © 2007 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.
Last updated 4/20/2007
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SOURCES: David G. Sherman, M.D., professor, medicine and neurology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio; Richard M. Weinberg, M.D., chief quality officer, Stamford Health System, Stamford, Conn; April 21, 2007, The Lancet
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