Evaluation of Prophylactic Heparin Dosage Strategies and Risk Factors for Venous Thromboembolism in the Critically Ill Patient.

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) occurs frequently in critically ill patients without heparin prophylaxis. Although heparin prevents VTE, VTEs occur frequently despite prophylaxis. A higher heparin dosage may be more effective for preventing VTE. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted using the Premier Incorporated Perspective Database to evaluate comparatively the effects of different heparin prophylaxis dosing strategies in the critically ill patient. Critically ill adult patients who were mechanically ventilated for at least 1 day and had an intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay of at least 2 days were included. Patients received 5000 units of heparin either twice/day or 3 times/day. The primary outcome was development of a new VTE. Key secondary outcomes included clinically important bleeding, thrombocytopenia, and mortality. Patients were propensity matched to control for confounding. Multivariable analysis was conducted for VTE risk factors. RESULTS: The study included 30,800 patients from 374 hospitals who were propensity matched by heparin dosage. New VTE occurred in 6.16% of patients treated with 3 times/day heparin versus 6.23% with twice/day heparin (p=0.8). No significant differences in the incidence of pulmonary embolism (0.91% vs 0.8%, p=0.29) or deep vein thrombosis (5.56% vs 5.70% p=0.59) were observed between the two types of heparin dosing. No differences were observed between the two types of heparin dosing in in-hospital mortality (15.8% vs 15.15%), bleeding (0.23% vs 0.33%), or thrombocytopenia (5.19% vs 5.34%, p>0.08 for all), respectively. Risk factors associated with VTE included intraabdominal and urinary tract infections, loop diuretics, malnutrition, obesity, thrombocytopenia, paralytics, vasopressors, female sex, peripheral vascular disease, sepsis, neutropenia, and end-stage renal disease. Antiplatelet therapy, heart failure, diabetes, and substance abuse were associated with reduced VTE (p<0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: In critically ill patients, prophylactic dosing of heparin 3 times/day versus twice/day was not associated with differences in new VTE or safety outcomes. Several modifiable VTE risk factors were identified.

Incidence of deep vein thrombosis and quality of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis / Incidência de trombose venosa profunda e qualidade da profilaxia para tromboembolismo venoso

OBJECTIVE: to determine the incidence of deep vein thrombosis and prophylaxis quality in hospitalized patients undergoing vascular and orthopedic surgical procedures. METHODS: we evaluated 296 patients, whose incidence of deep venous thrombosis was studied by vascular ultrasonography. Risk factors for venous thrombosis were stratified according the Caprini model. To assess the quality of prophylaxis we compared the adopted measures with the prophylaxis guidelines of the American College of Chest Physicians. RESULTS: the overall incidence of deep venous thrombosis was 7.5%. As for the risk groups, 10.8% were considered low risk, 14.9%moderate risk, 24.3% high risk and 50.5% very high risk. Prophylaxis of deep venous thrombosis was correct in 57.7%. In groups of high and very high risk, adequate prophylaxis rates were 72.2% and 71.6%, respectively. Excessive use of chemoprophylaxis was seen in 68.7% and 61.4% in the low and moderate-risk groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: although most patients are deemed to be at high and very high risk for deep vein thrombosis, deficiency in the application of prophylaxis persists in medical practice. .

OBJETIVO: determinar incidência de trombose venosa profunda e qualidade de profilaxia em pacientes internados submetidos a procedimentos cirúrgicos vasculares e ortopédicos. MÉTODOS: avaliou-se 296 pacientes, cuja incidência de trombose venosa profunda foi estudada por meio de ultrassonografia vascular. Os fatores de risco para trombose venosa foram estratificados conforme modelo de Caprini. Para avaliação da qualidade de profilaxia comparou-se as medidas adotadas com as diretrizes de profilaxia do American College of Chest Physicians. RESULTADOS: a incidência global de trombose venosa profunda foi 7,5%. Quanto aos grupos de riscos, 10,8% foram considerados de baixo risco, 14,9% moderado risco, 24,3% alto risco e 50,5% altíssimo risco. A profilaxia para trombose venosa profunda foi correta em 57,7%. Nos grupos de alto e altíssimo risco, as taxas de profilaxia adequada foram de 72,2% e 71,6%, respectivamente. O uso excessivo de profilaxia medicamentosa foi evidenciado em 68,7% e 61,4% nos grupos de baixo e moderado risco, respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: Embora a maior parte dos pacientes seja considerada de alto e altíssimo risco para trombose venosa profunda, na prática médica persiste a deficiência na aplicação desta profilaxia. .