Full Length ArticlePlasma anti-FXa concentration after continuous intravenous infusion and subcutaneous dosing of enoxaparin for thromboprophylaxis in critically ill patients. A randomized clinical trial

- Continuous intravenous infusion of enoxaparin led to lower 24 h anti-FXa Cmax than SCB dosage.
- No difference in anti-FXa AUC0-24 h was detected
- Norepinephrine infusion did not affect the results

IntroductionIn intensive care unit (ICU) patients, subcutaneous low-molecular weight heparin thromboprophylaxis results in lower plasma anti-factor Xa (anti-FXa) levels compared to general ward patients. The aim of this study was to examine whether enoxaparin thromboprophylaxis given as a continuous intravenous infusion (CII) results in more constant and predictable anti-FXa concentration than standard subcutaneous bolus (SCB) administration.Materials and methodsThis was a prospective, single-blind, multicenter, randomized controlled trial where ICU patients requiring thromboprophylaxis received enoxaparin either 40 mg as a SCB once daily or 40 mg as a CII over 24 h for three consecutive days.The primary outcome was maximum serum anti-FXa concentration (Cmax24 h) within the first 24 h; the secondary outcome was anti-FXa area under the curve (AUC)(0-24 h). Trough level was measured at 72 h.ResultsThirty-nine patients were included in the intention to treat analysis. The median anti-FXa Cmax24 h was 0.05 (interquartile range, IQR, 0.05-0.18) IU/ml in the CII group and 0.18 (IQR, 0.12-0.33) IU/ml in the SCB group (p = 0.05). Median anti-FXa AUC(0-24 h) was 1.20 (IQR, 0.98-2.88) in the CII and 1.54 (IQR, 1.22-4.12) in the SCB group (p = 0.095). After 72 h, 66.7% of patients in the CII group had a detectable anti-FXa concentration of > 0.1 IU/ml, compared with 16.7% in the SCB group (p = 0.019).ConclusionsContinuous infusion of enoxaparin led to lower anti-FXa Cmax24 h than standard SCB administration. No difference in anti-FXa AUC0-24 h was detected.