Role of low-molecular-weight heparins in the treatment of sudden hearing loss

Abstract

Objective: For the present, no definitive treatment is universally accepted for sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). The goal of this study was to evaluate the role of low-molecular-weight heparins in its therapeutic regimen.

Methods: A retrospective analysis has been taken in 100 patients with SNHL in which they were divided into 2 groups: 50 patients received commonly therapy added with and without low-molecular-weight heparins each. The audiogrametric data at pretreatment were compared with data at day 10 and with data collected at follow-up (average 20 days).

Results: The results showed that there was a significant improvement for early or late audiometric outcome in group 1 when compared with group 2 (P <.05). Forty-three patients (86%) were classified into recovery or good improvement in group 1, which was higher than group 2 (P <.01). The improvement rate was calculated for each of the 100 patients, and the average value was 84. Seventy percent in group 1 and 70% in group 2.

Conclusion: It is concluded that the use of low-molecular-weight heparins not only considerably improve the curative rate in the hearing improvement of sudden sensorineural hearing loss but without such potential risk as unfractionated heparins.