Roderik Metz1,2, Egbert-Jan M M Verleisdonk3, Geert J M G van der Heijden4. 1. Department of Surgery, Erasmus Medical Centre, Diakonessenhuis Utrecht, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. metz_r@hotmail.com. 2. Department of Surgery, Erasmus Medical Centre, 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. metz_r@hotmail.com. 3. Department of Surgery, Erasmus Medical Centre, Diakonessenhuis Utrecht, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. 4. University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There are no generally accepted guidelines for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in ambulatory patients requiring immobilization after an isolated lower leg injury. Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of pharmacological interventions for preventing VTE in these patients. STUDY DESIGN: Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched PubMed/Medline, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for trials with random allocation of thromboprophylaxis, notably low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) versus no prophylaxis or placebo, in ambulatory patients with below-knee or lower leg (including the knee joint) immobilization. Outcome was analyzed using MIX to calculate the pooled risk ratio/relative risk (RR) for each outcome, along with its 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: The RR of asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was 0.66 (95% CI 0.44; 1.02) for below-knee immobilization and 0.51 (95% CI 0.37; 0.70) for lower leg immobilization. Low molecular weight heparin versus no prophylaxis or placebo was evaluated. The incidence of symptomatic DVT and PE was too low to show any statistically significant difference between thromboprophylaxis and controls in both groups. Although only one adverse bleeding event was considered to bemajor, the RR for any adverse bleeding event was 1.94 (95% CI 1.03; 3.67). CONCLUSION: There is insufficient evidence to warrant routine use of thromboprophylaxis in ambulatory patients with below-knee or lower leg immobilization after an isolated lower leg injury. The incidence of symptomatic VTE is too low to show a relevant clinical benefit from thromboprophylaxis.
BACKGROUND: There are no generally accepted guidelines for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in ambulatory patients requiring immobilization after an isolated lower leg injury. Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of pharmacological interventions for preventing VTE in these patients. STUDY DESIGN: Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched PubMed/Medline, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for trials with random allocation of thromboprophylaxis, notably low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) versus no prophylaxis or placebo, in ambulatory patients with below-knee or lower leg (including the knee joint) immobilization. Outcome was analyzed using MIX to calculate the pooled risk ratio/relative risk (RR) for each outcome, along with its 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: The RR of asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was 0.66 (95% CI 0.44; 1.02) for below-knee immobilization and 0.51 (95% CI 0.37; 0.70) for lower leg immobilization. Low molecular weight heparin versus no prophylaxis or placebo was evaluated. The incidence of symptomatic DVT and PE was too low to show any statistically significant difference between thromboprophylaxis and controls in both groups. Although only one adverse bleeding event was considered to bemajor, the RR for any adverse bleeding event was 1.94 (95% CI 1.03; 3.67). CONCLUSION: There is insufficient evidence to warrant routine use of thromboprophylaxis in ambulatory patients with below-knee or lower leg immobilization after an isolated lower leg injury. The incidence of symptomatic VTE is too low to show a relevant clinical benefit from thromboprophylaxis.
Authors: M S Mizel; H T Temple; J D Michelson; R G Alvarez; T O Clanton; C C Frey; A P Gegenheimer; S R Hurwitz; L D Lutter; M G Mankey; R A Mann; R A Miller; E G Richardson; L C Schon; F M Thompson; M L Yodlowski Journal: Clin Orthop Relat Res Date: 1998-03 Impact factor: 4.176
Authors: Abdullah Pandor; Daniel Horner; Sarah Davis; Steve Goodacre; John W Stevens; Mark Clowes; Beverley J Hunt; Tim Nokes; Jonathan Keenan; Kerstin de Wit Journal: Health Technol Assess Date: 2019-12 Impact factor: 4.014
Authors: Dimitrios A Flevas; Panayiotis D Megaloikonomos; Leonidas Dimopoulos; Evanthia Mitsiokapa; Panayiotis Koulouvaris; Andreas F Mavrogenis Journal: EFORT Open Rev Date: 2018-04-27