A comparative study of three low-molecular weight heparins (LMWH) and unfractionated heparin (UH) in healthy volunteers.

The levels of anti-IIa and anti-Xa activity, as reported in laboratory and clinical studies on low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) preparations, show a high degree of variability. This variation has been proposed as correlated to the variation in incidence of postoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (8-30%) in different LMWH studies on comparable populations undergoing elective hip surgery. The aim of this study was to compare the ex vivo potency of Clexane (enoxaparin), Fragmin (dalteparin) and Logiparin (tinzaparin), applying the concept of bioequivalence, although unknown which activity/activities are best correlated to efficacy. Unfractionated heparin (UH) was included in the study as a reference drug. The drugs were studied with a cross-over technique in 12 healthy subjects and given subcutaneously in the doses recommended for orthopedic surgery. Blood samples were drawn each hour up to 10 h and at 12 h after administration. Anti-Xa and anti-IIa activities were measured using chromogenic substrate methods. The anti-Xa peak activity (Cmax) and the area under the curve (AUC) were highest for Clexane and Fragmin and lower for Logiparin and UH. Clexane and Fragmin were considered bioequivalent in anti-Xa activity. Regarding anti-IIa activity, no bioequivalence was found between the products. Fragmin was clearly different, with Cmax and AUC approximately twice as high as the other drugs. Whether the demonstrated differences in anti-Xa and anti-II activities are of any clinical significance remains unclear and can only be established by comparative clinical studies.