Three sources of evidence suggest that prophylactic-dose LMWH may be safe in patients with renal insufficiency. First, current evidence does not support the fact that prophylactic-dose LMWH accumulates and should be avoided in such patients. Second, prophylactic-dose LMWH appears to be safe in hemodialysis patients. Third, preliminary work by our research group suggests that dalteparin, 5000 IU once-daily, does not accumulate in ICU patients with renal insufficiency. Thus, 0 of 10 ICU patients with a CrCl <50 mL/min/1.73m2 who received dalteparin had a detectable trough anticoagulant effect (anti-Xa >0.10 IU/mL). Further, when the relationship between CrCl and peak anti-Xa levels was assessed, there was no correlation (r<0.2). Finally, in 2 patients with severe renal insufficiency (CrCl<30 mL/min/1.73m2) who received dalteparin, 5000 IU once-daily, all 9 trough anti-Xa values were <0.10 IU/mL.