Key result
The addition of subcutaneous heparin to mechanical prophylaxis reduced the rate of deep venous thrombosis from 16% to 9% in neurosurgical patients, without increasing hemorrhagic complications.
Why the study?
Does subcutaneous heparin added to mechanical prophylaxis reduce deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in neurosurgical patients?
Population
2,638 neurosurgical patients admitted between January 2006 and December 2008, including a subgroup of 1,638…
Comparison
Subcutaneous heparin 5000 U twice daily in… vs Mechanical DVT prophylaxis alone.
Design
Cohort
Authors
Loading...
May support heparin addition in neurosurgical patients; hypothesis-generating pending RCTs on PE and bleeding.
Cohort (n=2,638)
No
Does subcutaneous heparin added to mechanical prophylaxis reduce deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in neurosurgical patients?
Effect estimate: 43% reduction
Absolute Event Rate: 9% vs 16%
Early pharmacological prophylaxis with subcutaneous heparin in neurosurgical patients significantly reduces DVT risk without increasing bleeding complications, though it may not impact overall PE rates.
Khaldi et al. (2010) conducted a cohort in Venous thromboembolism in neurosurgical patients (n=2,638). Subcutaneous heparin (pharmacological prophylaxis) vs. Mechanical DVT prophylaxis alone was evaluated on Rate of lower-extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT) (43% reduction). The addition of subcutaneous heparin to mechanical prophylaxis reduced the rate of deep venous thrombosis from 16% to 9% in neurosurgical patients, without increasing hemorrhagic complications.
Synapse has enriched 2 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: