[Frequency of severe abdominal wall hemorrhage with subcutaneous anticoagulation using calcium-heparin].

Four cases of severe bleeding among 50 elderly patients undergoing subcutaneous calcium heparin treatment are reported. In three patients the bleeding was localized in the abdominal wall and the fourth in the retroperitoneum; 2 patients died. Heparin doses ranged between 2x12,500 and 2x20,000 I.U/day. The thrombin times, measured before the next administration, were in the subtherapeutic range in all patients. We conclude that in elderly patients subcutaneous heparin treatment in therapeutic doses should be reserved for exceptional cases.