[Heparin level and coagulation potential after subcutaneous injection of 7500 international units of heparin calcium].

A dosage of 7500 IU heparin calcium (Calciparin) was administered subcutaneously twice daily in 15 probands. Prior to and after the 1st and 7th injection heparin levels were determined in plasma and coagulation studies were done. The highest heparin levels were found around 4 hours after the injection. They were significantly higher after the 7th injection than after the 1st. Values decreased markedly after 8 hours. After 10-12 hours they approached the initial values, however remained significantly increased. The appropriate changes were seen in activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time and reaction- and clotting time in the thrombelastogram. Activity and concentration of antithrombin III decreased by about 10%. Fibrinogen and platelets remained largely unaffected. The results show that twice daily subcutaneous injections of 7500 IU heparin calcium are able to close the anticoagulation gap in plasma which occurs with administration of twice 5000 IU between two injections.