BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism is a common source of morbidity and mortality but a variety of preventative measures are available. AIMS: To audit the current practice of thromboprophylaxis and compare against published protocols. METHODS: Three-hundred and seventy-six (376) surgical patients were surveyed prospectively. A Performa was completed recording the presence of up to 11 risk factors. A risk score was calculated and the use of specific thromboprophylatic measures identified. RESULTS: Heparin thromboprophylaxis was widely used, eight patients (who were on aspirin therapy) failed to receive any prophylaxis (risk factors 4-6). In addition there were 60 patients at low risk (risk score <2) received LMWH from which they were unlikely to benefit. CONCLUSIONS: Thromboembolic prophylaxis is widely but unselectively applied. Adoption of a risk: benefit ratio approach should ensure those who would benefit from thromboprophylaxis are adequately treated while those in whom thromboprophylaxis is not indicated are spared unnecessary therapy.
BACKGROUND:Venous thromboembolism is a common source of morbidity and mortality but a variety of preventative measures are available. AIMS: To audit the current practice of thromboprophylaxis and compare against published protocols. METHODS: Three-hundred and seventy-six (376) surgical patients were surveyed prospectively. A Performa was completed recording the presence of up to 11 risk factors. A risk score was calculated and the use of specific thromboprophylatic measures identified. RESULTS:Heparin thromboprophylaxis was widely used, eight patients (who were on aspirin therapy) failed to receive any prophylaxis (risk factors 4-6). In addition there were 60 patients at low risk (risk score <2) received LMWH from which they were unlikely to benefit. CONCLUSIONS:Thromboembolic prophylaxis is widely but unselectively applied. Adoption of a risk: benefit ratio approach should ensure those who would benefit from thromboprophylaxis are adequately treated while those in whom thromboprophylaxis is not indicated are spared unnecessary therapy.
Authors: R S McLeod; W H Geerts; K W Sniderman; C Greenwood; R C Gregoire; B M Taylor; R E Silverman; K G Atkinson; M Burnstein; J C Marshall; C J Burul; D R Anderson; T Ross; S R Wilson; P Barton Journal: Ann Surg Date: 2001-03 Impact factor: 12.969
Authors: P Prandoni; A W Lensing; A Cogo; S Cuppini; S Villalta; M Carta; A M Cattelan; P Polistena; E Bernardi; M H Prins Journal: Ann Intern Med Date: 1996-07-01 Impact factor: 25.391
Authors: Sean D Sullivan; Susan R Kahn; Bruce L Davidson; Lars Borris; Patrick Bossuyt; Gary Raskob Journal: Pharmacoeconomics Date: 2003 Impact factor: 4.981