ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTIONS Prophylaxis of Venous Thromboembolism with Low Molecular Weight Heparin in Bariatric Surgery: a Prospective, Randomised Pilot Study Evaluating Two Doses of Parnaparin (BAFLUX Study)

# The Author(s) 2013. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com Background The optimal dose of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) to prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE) after bariatric surgery remains controversial. The aim of this multicentre, open-label, pilot study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two different doses of the LMWH parnaparin administered to patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Methods Patients were randomised to receive 4,250 IU/day (group A) or 6,400 IU/day (group B) of parnaparin s.c. for 7–11 days. Bilateral colour Doppler ultrasound of the lower limb was performed before surgery and at the end of the treatment period. The primary efficacy outcome was a composite of asymptomatic and symptomatic deep vei