Deep vein thrombosis in neurocritical care

INTRODUCTION Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common complication in critically ill neurological patients and can lead to thromboembolic episodes, which can in turn lead to morbidity and can even be fatal. Although there is paucity of data on the actual incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) as a cause of death in Indian patients, recent evidence suggests that DVT occurs as frequently among Asians as it does among Caucasians.[ 1 ] More importantly, it is a preventable complication, and hence there is a need for greater awareness of thromboprophylaxis among treating neurophysicians and neurosurgeons. There is also a great need for neurosurgeons to understand the role of anticoagulants when the benefits outweigh the risk. Despite our better understanding and the growing body of evidence regarding the beneficial role of thromboprophylaxis among medical and neurological Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients, there is a general gap between knowledge and actual practice.