Sickle cell disease: managing acute painful episodes in hospital

Recommendation ID: CG143/2
Question: Use of low-molecular-weight heparin to treat patients with an acute painful sickle cell episode:- Are therapeutic doses of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) effective, compared with prophylactic doses of LMWH, in reducing the length of stay in hospital of patients with an acute painful sickle cell episode?
Any explanatory notes (if applicable): Why this is important:- Moderate-quality evidence from one RCT suggested a significant benefit of treating patients with an acute painful sickle cell episode with LMWH. This was supported by exploratory health economic analyses suggesting a large reduction in length of stay and associated costs. An RCT should be conducted that examines the effect of therapeutic doses of LMWH, compared with prophylactic doses, on the length of stay in hospital of patients with an acute painful sickle cell episode. The RCT should be conducted separately in adults and children, and cover the duration of the painful episode.

Source guidance details

Comes from guidance: Sickle cell disease: managing acute painful episodes in hospital
Number: CG143
Date issued: June 2012

Is this a recommendation for the use of a technology only in the context of research?	No
Is it a recommendation that suggests collection of data or the establishment of a register?	No
Last Reviewed	10/07/2012