Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in which dosages of LMWHs were similar to those in current use, doses of standard heparin in control groups were adjusted, objective tests were used to confirm deep venous thrombosis, and double-blinding or blinded outcome assessors were used.
Specific interventions included in the review
LMWH (fraxiparine, logiparin, fragmin, clexane) given subcutaneously once or twice daily; unfractionated heparin given subcutaneously or intravenously, with doses adjusted to maintain the anticoagulant effect within a defined therapeutic range.
Participants included in the review
Patients with symptomatic venous thrombosis of the leg, as documented by venography, were included.
Outcomes assessed in the review
Incidence of symptomatic recurrent venous thromboembolic disease, incidence of clinically-important bleeding, mortality, and change in thrombus size after initial treatment, were assessed.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
The authors do not state how the papers were selected for the review, or how many of the authors performed the selection.