Effectiveness and Safety of Twice- Versus Thrice-Daily Subcutaneous Heparin for Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis at a Large Academic Medical Center

2021 ◽  
pp. 106002802110413
Author(s):  
Eryne E. Wiethorn ◽  
Sarah Harrison ◽  
Erin R. Weeda ◽  
Carolyn Magee Bell

Background Dosing variation of subcutaneous unfractionated heparin (UFH) exist for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis (VTEP). Objective The purpose of this study was to compare the safety and effectiveness of thrice-daily (TID) versus twice-daily (BID) administration of UFH during a heparin shortage for VTEP. Methods A single-center retrospective analysis was conducted in patients with orders for BID subcutaneous UFH during a heparin shortage from September 1, 2019, to February 4, 2020. These patients were matched to patients with TID subcutaneous UFH orders from January 1, 2019, to May 31, 2019. The primary outcome was the incidence of deep-vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism confirmed by imaging during hospitalization. The secondary outcome was the incidence of major or clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding events as defined by International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) definitions. Results A total of 277 patients with orders for BID UFH and meeting inclusion criteria were evaluated and matched to patients who received TID UFH. After the exclusion criteria were implemented, 510 patients remained in the TID group. The primary outcome occurred in 4% of patients in the BID group and 3% in the TID group ( P = 0.645). Major bleeding or clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding events occurred in 10% of patients in the BID group and 8% in the TID group ( P = 0.310). Conclusion and Relevance There was no difference in effectiveness or safety of TID versus BID subcutaneous UFH for VTEP. During a heparin shortage, transitioning patients to BID UFH for VTEP to conserve supply may be considered.

2007 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 393-398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory Piazza ◽  
Ali Seddighzadeh ◽  
Samuel Z. Goldhaber

Venous thromboembolism, including deep-vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is a major source of morbidity and mortality among elderly patients. To improve our understanding of elderly patients with deep-vein thrombosis, we compared 1932 patients with deep-vein thrombosis aged 70 years or older with 2554 nonelderly patients in a prospective registry of consecutive ultrasound-confirmed deep-vein thrombosis patients. The mean age of elderly patients was 78.9 ± 6.1 years compared with 51.8 ± 12.9 years in nonelderly ( P < .0001). Elderly patients were more likely to have prior recent hospitalization (49.2% vs 44.7%, P = .03), congestive heart failure (20.5% vs 9.9%, P < .0001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (18.2% vs 11.7%, P < .0001), and recent immobilization (50.5% vs 39.6%, P < .0001) than the nonelderly patients. Elderly patients were less likely to present with typical deep-vein thrombosis symptoms of extremity discomfort (44.4% vs 60.6%, P < .0001) and difficulty ambulating (8.4% vs 11.2%, P = .002). Only 41% of elderly patients subsequently diagnosed with deep-vein thrombosis had received any venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. In conclusion, elderly patients with deep-vein thrombosis represent a particularly vulnerable population with numerous comorbid conditions. Diagnosis can present a challenge because typical deep-vein thrombosis symptoms may be absent. Fewer than 50% of elderly patients with deep-vein thrombosis had received any venous thromboembolism prophylaxis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 107602962097957
Author(s):  
Soo-Mee Bang ◽  
Jin-Hyoung Kang ◽  
Min Hee Hong ◽  
Jin-Seok Ahn ◽  
So Yeon Oh ◽  
...  

This study assessed epidemiologic data and clinical outcomes, including venous thromboembolism (VTE) recurrence and bleeding events, in patients with cancer-associated VTE, and assessed factors associated with clinical outcomes. Data were extracted from retrospective medical-chart review of adult patients diagnosed with cancer-associated deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism who received anticoagulation treatment for ≥3 months. Patients were classified by: low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), and other anticoagulants. First VTE recurrence and bleeding events, and factors associated with their occurrence, were assessed during the initial 6 months of treatment. Overall, 623 patients (age: 63.7 ± 11.3 years, 49.3% male) were included (119, 132, and 372 patients in LMWH, DOACs and other anticoagulants groups, respectively). The cumulative 6-month incidence of VTE recurrence was 16.6% (total), 8.3% (LMWH), 16.7% (DOACs), and 20.7% (other); respective bleeding events were 22.5%, 11.0%, 12.3%, and 30.7%). VTE recurrence and bleeding rates differed only between LMWH and other anticoagulants (HR 2.4, 95% CI: 1.2-5.0 and 3.6, 1.9-6.8, respectively). These results highlight the importance of initial VTE treatment choice for preventing VTE recurrence and bleeding events. LMWH or DOACs for ≥3 months can be considered for effective VTE management in cancer patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 491-497 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Rose Salinaro ◽  
Kourtnie McQuillen ◽  
Megan Stemple ◽  
Robert Boccaccio ◽  
Jessie Ehrisman ◽  
...  

ObjectivesNeoadjuvant chemotherapy may be considered for women with epithelial ovarian cancer who have poor performance status or a disease burden not amenable to primary cytoreductive surgery. Overlap exists between indications for neoadjuvant chemotherapy and known risk factors for venous thromboembolism, including impaired mobility, increasing age, and advanced malignancy. The objective of this study was to determine the rate of venous thromboembolism among women receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy for epithelial ovarian cancer.MethodsA multi-institutional, observational study of patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy for primary epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer was conducted. Primary outcome was rate of venous thromboembolism during neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Secondary outcomes included rates of venous thromboembolism at other stages of treatment (diagnosis, following interval debulking surgery, during adjuvant chemotherapy, or during treatment for recurrence) and associations between occurrence of venous thromboembolism during neoadjuvant chemotherapy, subject characteristics, and interval debulking outcomes. Venous thromboembolism was defined as deep vein thrombosis in the upper or lower extremities or in association with peripherally inserted central catheters or ports, pulmonary embolism, or concurrent deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Both symptomatic and asymptomatic venous thromboembolism were reported.ResultsA total of 230 patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy were included; 63 (27%) patients overall experienced a venous thromboembolism. The primary outcome of venous thromboembolism during neoadjuvant chemotherapy occurred in 16 (7.7%) patients. Of the remaining venous thromboembolism events, 22 were at diagnosis (9.6%), six post-operatively (3%), five during adjuvant chemotherapy (3%), and 14 during treatment for recurrence (12%). Patients experiencing a venous thromboembolism during neoadjuvant chemotherapy had a longer mean time to interval debulking and were less likely to undergo optimal cytoreduction (50% vs 80.2%, p=0.02).ConclusionsPatients with advanced ovarian cancer are at high risk for venous thromboembolism while receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Consideration of thromboprophylaxis may be warranted.


2017 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 134-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason M. Foster ◽  
Richard Sleightholm ◽  
Duncan Watley ◽  
Steven Wahlmeier ◽  
Asish Patel

The incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in peritoneal malignancies can approach 30 to 50 per cent without prophylaxis. Prophylaxis in cytoreductive surgeries (CRS) presents a challenge to preoperative heparin-based therapy because of an increased risk of coagulopathy and potential for bleeding. Herein, we report the large series of CRS and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy receiving dextran-40 prophylaxis. Retrospective chart review of peritoneal malignancies patients undergoing CRS at University of Nebraska Medical Center identified 69 individuals who received dextran-40 between 2010 and 2013. The incidences of VTEs, perioperative bleeding, complications, morbidity, and mortality were determined in-hospital and at 90 days. Of the 69 patients treated, the 30-day VTE rate was 8.7 per cent, and no pulmonary embolisms, bleeding, anaphylactoid reaction, or mortality were observed with dextran usage. The specific VTE events included three upper extremity and three lower extremity VTEs. No additional VTE events were identified between 30 and 90 days. In conclusion, dextran-40 prophylaxis was not associated with any perioperative bleeding events, and the observed incidence of VTE was comparable to reported heparin-based prophylaxis in CRS/hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy patients. This data supports further exploration of dextran-40 as a VTE prophylactic agent in complex surgical oncology cases.


Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 135 (16) ◽  
pp. 1377-1385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisette F. van Dam ◽  
Charlotte E. A. Dronkers ◽  
Gargi Gautam ◽  
Åsa Eckerbom ◽  
Waleed Ghanima ◽  
...  

Abstract The diagnosis of recurrent ipsilateral deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is challenging, because persistent intravascular abnormalities after previous DVT often hinder a diagnosis by compression ultrasonography. Magnetic resonance direct thrombus imaging (MRDTI), a technique without intravenous contrast and with a 10-minute acquisition time, has been shown to accurately distinguish acute recurrent DVT from chronic thrombotic remains. We have evaluated the safety of MRDTI as the sole test for excluding recurrent ipsilateral DVT. The Theia Study was a prospective, international, multicenter, diagnostic management study involving patients with clinically suspected acute recurrent ipsilateral DVT. Treatment of the patients was managed according to the result of the MRDTI, performed within 24 hours of study inclusion. The primary outcome was the 3-month incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after a MRDTI negative for DVT. The secondary outcome was the interobserver agreement on the MRDTI readings. An independent committee adjudicated all end points. Three hundred five patients were included. The baseline prevalence of recurrent DVT was 38%; superficial thrombophlebitis was diagnosed in 4.6%. The primary outcome occurred in 2 of 119 (1.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.20-5.9) patients with MRDTI negative for DVT and thrombophlebitis, who were not treated with any anticoagulant during follow-up; neither of these recurrences was fatal. The incidence of recurrent VTE in all patients with MRDTI negative for DVT was 1.1% (95% CI, 0.13%-3.8%). The agreement between initial local and post hoc central reading of the MRDTI images was excellent (κ statistic, 0.91). The incidence of VTE recurrence after negative MRDTI was low, and MRDTI proved to be a feasible and reproducible diagnostic test. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02262052.


2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 230949901989602
Author(s):  
Joshua Xu ◽  
Aran Kanagaratnam ◽  
Jacob Y Cao ◽  
Gurpreet S Chaggar ◽  
Warwick Bruce

Purpose: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients are at an elevated risk of post-operative venous thromboembolism (VTE). Newer thromboprophylactic agents such as rivaroxaban are increasingly used and effective in preventing thromboembolic events but may worsen bleeding risk. Recent studies have suggested that the more cost-effective aspirin may also be effective in preventing VTE. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the efficacy of aspirin against rivaroxaban for the prevention of VTE following TKA and THA. Methods: Electronic searches were performed using five databases from their date of inception to August 2018. Relevant studies were identified, with data extracted and meta-analyzed from the studies. Results: Five studies were included, which consisted of 2257 in the aspirin group and 2337 in the rivaroxaban group. There were no differences between aspirin and rivaroxaban for either VTE ( p = 0.48) or its components deep vein thrombosis ( p = 0.44) and pulmonary embolism ( p = 0.98). Also, there were no differences between groups for either major bleeding ( p = 0.17), any bleeding ( p = 0.62), readmissions ( p = 0.37) or wound complications ( p = 0.17). Conclusion: Aspirin was not significantly different to rivaroxaban for prevention of VTE or adverse events after TKA or THA. However, this study was limited by the significant heterogeneity of the included studies. More large randomized studies are needed to add to this body of evidence.


Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel V Fontaine ◽  
Emily Vigil ◽  
Paul Wohlt ◽  
David Collingridge ◽  
James F Lloyd ◽  
...  

Introduction: Obesity increases the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in hospitalized medical patients. Standard chemoprophylaxis in these patients may be suboptimal, potentially leading to increased VTE. The objective of this study was to compare the rate of VTE in obese (body mass index [BMI] ≤30 kg/m 2 ) medical patients receiving standard VTE prophylaxis with rates in non-obese patients (BMI 17-29.9 kg/m 2 ). Hypothesis: Obese patients will suffer from a higher incidence of VTE within 90 days of hospitalization. Methods: In a single-center retrospective cohort study, patients admitted to all medical units between November 2007 and November 2013 were evaluated for eligibility if they received an initial dose of VTE prophylaxis within 48 hours of admission. Appropriate prophylaxis was heparin 5000 units subcutaneously (SQ) every 8 to 12 hours or enoxaparin 30 mg SQ twice daily or 40 mg SQ once daily. Exclusion criteria included hypercoagulable states, therapeutic anticoagulation, and admission for trauma or surgery. The primary outcome was 90 day VTE defined as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism using ICD-9 codes. Secondary outcomes included in-hospital VTE, 30 day VTE, and 90 day mortality. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used in calculating p-values and odds ratios (OR) for the primary outcome. Results: There were 17,525 patients eligible for inclusion. The final cohort included 4,237 obese patients and 4,990 non-obese patients (median BMI 36 and 25 kg/m 2 , respectively). Obesity increased the risk of in-hospital VTE (5.6% vs. 4.4%; p=0.01), 30 day VTE (5.7% vs. 4.6%; p=0.013), and 90 day VTE (5.9% vs. 4.8%; p=0.028) on univariate analysis. However, using multiple logistic regression, obesity was not an independent predictor of 90 day VTE (OR 1.0; p=0.83). Variables which independently increased 90 day VTE were Charlson Comorbidity Index (OR 1.09; p=0.003), prior VTE (OR 36.35; p<0.001), congestive heart failure (OR 1.33; p=0.017), and surgery in 90 days following admission (OR 1.56; p=0.004). Mortality was lower at 90 days in obese patients (3.3% vs. 6.3% non-obese; p<0.001) Conclusions: The incidence of VTE at 90 days in hospitalized medical patients is significant, but it is uncertain if obesity independently contributes to this.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document