Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis

Editors-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. Associate Editor-In-Chief: Ujjwal Rastogi, MBBS [mailto:urastogi@perfuse.org]

Overview
A study involving data from 16 acute care hospitals confirmed the occurrence of VTE in patient who did not received thrombo-prophylaxis in-spite of being at risk and having no contraindication for thromboprophylaxis.

VTE occurs in approximately 50% patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery who do not receive appropriate thromboprophylaxis.

In post-surgical patients, following strategies have been helpful in reducing the risk of VTE :
 * Change in life style.
 * Healthy diet.
 * Exercise.
 * Decreasing body weight.
 * Avoiding smoking.A study involving data from 16 acute care hospitals confirmed the occurrence of VTE in patient who did not received thrombo-prophylaxis in-spite of being at risk and having no contraindication for thromboprophylaxis.

VTE occurs in approximately 50% patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery who do not receive appropriate thromboprophylaxis.

In post-surgical patients, following strategies have been helpful in reducing the risk of VTE :
 * Change in life style.
 * Healthy diet.
 * Exercise.
 * Decreasing body weight.
 * Avoiding smoking.

Following recommendations are made for patients falling into other categories :
 * Prevention of dehydration.
 * Maintaining normal blood pressure.
 * Patients at low risk for DVT:
 * Graduated elastic compressions.
 * Bedridden patients:
 * Pneumatic compression.
 * Patients in Critical Care Unit:
 * Heparins (Heparin, lmwh, unfractionated heparin)
 * Warfarin.
 * Direct thrombin inhibitor.

Related Chapters

 * Pulmonary embolism
 * Deep vein thrombosis