Key result
Appropriate use of mechanical and pharmacological prophylaxis against deep vein thrombosis in hospital inpatients reduces the risk of pulmonary embolism and post-thrombotic complications.
Why the study?
Does mechanical and pharmacological prophylaxis reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in hospital inpatients?
Does mechanical and pharmacological prophylaxis reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in hospital inpatients?
Appropriate use of guideline-directed mechanical and pharmacological prophylaxis is essential for reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in hospitalized medical and surgical patients.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Supports routine DVT prophylaxis in inpatients; leaves open optimal regimens and duration in contemporary care.
#### Summary points Most hospital inpatients are at risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and the associated complications of fatal or non-fatal pulmonary embolism and post-thrombotic syndrome. Recognised risk factors for DVT are generally related to one or more elements of Virchow's triad (stasis, vessel injury, and hypercoagulability), and include surgery, trauma, immobilisation, malignancy, use of oestrogens, heart or respiratory failure, and smoking (box 1).1 Surveillance studies have found that the absolute risk of DVT is 10%-20% among general medical patients and up to 40%-80% in patients having hip surgery, knee surgery, or major trauma (table⇓).1 View this table: Absolute risk of deep vein thrombosis in hospital inpatients #### Box 1 Risk factors for deep vein thrombosis (adapted from Geerts et al1) ##### Stasis ##### Vessel injury ##### Hypercoagulability It is difficult to predict …
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
William E. Cayley (2007) conducted a review in Deep vein thrombosis. DVT prophylaxis (mechanical and pharmacological) vs. No prophylaxis or alternative prophylaxis was evaluated. Appropriate use of mechanical and pharmacological prophylaxis against deep vein thrombosis in hospital inpatients reduces the risk of pulmonary embolism and post-thrombotic complications.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: