The incidence of venous thrombosis after long-term transvenous pacing was 23%, with no difference found according to the use of prophylactic anticoagulant and antiaggregant drugs.
Observational (n=100)
Does prophylactic administration of anticoagulant and antiaggregant drugs prevent venous thrombosis after long-term transvenous permanent pacemaker implantation?
Long-term transvenous pacing is associated with a 23% incidence of asymptomatic venous thrombosis, which does not appear to be prevented by prophylactic anticoagulants or antiaggregants in this retrospective cohort.
To assess the efficacy of prophylactic administration of anticoagulant and antiaggregant drugs to prevent venous thrombosis after long-term transvenous permanent pacemaker implantation, venograms were performed in 100 consecutive patients at the elective replacement of the pacemaker. Mean follow-up period after initial transvenous permanent pacemaker implantation was 6.0 years. The venograms demonstrated normal in 77 patients. The remaining 23 venograms showed venous stenosis in 11 patients and total obstruction in 12 patients. Twenty-one of these 23 patients had venous collateral circulation. No difference was found in the incidence of venous abnormalities according to the route of entry, the lead insulation, the total number of the implanted leads, and anticoagulant and antiaggregant drugs. All these patients have remained asymptomatic. In conclusion, the incidence of venous thrombosis after long-term transvenous pacing is 23% and the causes of venous thrombosis may be endothelial trauma and underlying venous stenosis. As this article describes a retrospective limited study, we cannot find the efficacy of prophylactic administration of anticoagulant and antiaggregant drugs to prevent venous thrombosis formation after transvenous permanent pacemaker implantation. Further prospective study will be needed to assess the efficacy of prophylactic administration of anticoagulant and antiaggregant drugs.
Goto et al. (1998) conducted an observational in Long-term transvenous permanent pacemaker implantation (n=100). Prophylactic administration of anticoagulant and antiaggregant drugs vs. No prophylactic administration was evaluated on Venous thrombosis (venous stenosis or total obstruction). The incidence of venous thrombosis after long-term transvenous pacing was 23%, with no difference found according to the use of prophylactic anticoagulant and antiaggregant drugs.