Venous thromboembolism in patients with brain tumors

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 12528-12528
Author(s):  
M. S. Dhami ◽  
D. Goss ◽  
R. Dhami

12528 Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) is common in patients undergoing treatment for brain tumors. American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) 2004 consensus conference recommends routine use of intermittent pneumatic compression devices (IPC), unfractionated heparin (UH) or low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) for VTE prophylaxis in these patients. There, however, continues to be a reluctance on using pharmacologic VTE prophylaxis in these patients. The goal of our study was to determine the incidence of VTE in patients with brain tumors treated at a community hospital and the frequency of use of thromboprophylaxis in these patients. Both electronic and paper charts of all patients treated for brain tumors between 1997 and 2003 were reviewed. Follow up data was obtained by contacting physicians caring for these patients. Forty two patients were identified (Anaplastic astrocytoma 10; Glioblastoma multiforme 16; Meningioma 15; oligodendroglioma 1). Twelve patients were treated with various adjuvant chemotherapy regimens. Only 16 patients (38%) received any form of VTE prophylaxis. UH (12) or LMWH (2) were used with or without IPCs or graduated compression stockings. There were eight episodes of symptomatic VTE among 42 patients (19%). These include 6 episodes of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and two cases of superficial vein thrombosis. Three patients with DVT also had symptomatic pulmonary embolus (PE). All episodes VTE were seen in patients with malignant gliomas yielding a 29% incidence of VTE in patients with malignant gliomas. None of the 15 patients with meningioma had symptomatic VTE. All but one episode of VTE were associated with administration of systemic chemotherapy. Half of these episodes occured more than six weeks after surgical debulking. We conclude that incidence of VTE with malignant brain tumors is high (29%) and the administration of chemotherpy increases this risk. There continues to be underutilization of VTE prophylaxis in these patients at very high risk of VTE. Efforts should be directed at improving the understanding of type and duration of appropiate VTE prophylaxis in patients with brain tumors. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

1996 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 130-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven J. Jubelirer

The incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with primary brain tumors varies be tween 1 and 60%. This variability in incidence is due to study differences in (a) methods of diagnosis of VTE— i.e., diagnosis at autopsy or clinical diagnosis; (b) amount of time from surgery to VTE diagnosis; (c) proportion of patients receiving deep venous thrombosis (DVT) pro phylaxis ; (d) clinical risk factors associated with VTE, such as paresis, prior thrombotic disease, and chemother apy; and (e) tumor location and histology. The etiology of VTE in patients with primary brain tumors is unknown. The preoperative hemostatic abnormalities noted in clin ical studies have been most consistent with compensated disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). These ab normalities, however, appear to be of little predictive value for the subsequent development of VTE. Studies involving brain tumor tissue or cell cultures have impli cated factors released by the tumor or surrounding neural tissue that activate the coagulation system or inhibit fi brinolysis. Recommendations for VTE prophylaxis in clude (a) earliest possible ambulation; (b) intermittent pneumatic compression in all nonambulatory patients preoperatively and postoperatively; and (c) s.c. heparin in high-risk patients. The role of low-molecular-weight heparin in VTE prophylaxis has not been established. Patients with malignant brain tumors can be safely anti coagulated with heparin and warfarin if these agents are carefully monitored. Of 197 patients in seven series who received anticoagulants, only 5 (2.5%) had intracranial bleeding. Vena caval filters and thrombectomy are rarely required. Thrombolytic therapy is contraindicated. Key Words: Venous thromboembolism—Deep venous throm bosis—Malignant brain tumors.


2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 193
Author(s):  
Luca Masotti ◽  
Roberto Cappelli ◽  
Grazia Panigada ◽  
Giancarlo Landini ◽  
Mario Di Napoli

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) represents one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in ill medical patients. Avoiding VTE is therefore of utmost importance in clinical practice. VTE prophylaxis can be assured by pharmacological strategies, such as heparinoids, unfractioned heparin, low molecular weight heparins, fondaparinux or oral anticoagulants and, when these are contraindicated, by mechanical measures, such as graduated compression stockings (GCS) and/ or intermittent pneumatic compression (ICP). However, due to the lack of solid literature evidence, VTE mechanical prophylaxis is not standardized in hospitalized ill medical patients. Much recently, findings from randomized clinical trials on VTE prophylaxis in ill medical patients, such as CLOTS I in patients with stroke and LIFENOX in patients with other kind of medical diseases, seem to increase doubts and reduce certainness in this context and recommendations from guidelines don’t help in reducing confusion. Therefore the aim of this review is to focus on mechanical prophylaxis of VTE in hospitalized ill medical patients.http://dx.doi.org/10.7175/rhc.v3i3.202


2020 ◽  
Vol 120 (03) ◽  
pp. 525-530
Author(s):  
Raoul J. Koopmans ◽  
Suzanne C. Cannegieter ◽  
Radboud W. Koot ◽  
Carmen L. A. Vleggeert-Lankamp

Abstract Background Both compression stockings and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) are used for the prevention of post-operative venous thromboembolism (VTE) in cerebellopontine angle (CPA) tumour excisions. Objective In an attempt to optimise the prophylactic treatment in these patients, we compared LMWH (nadroparin) plus compression stockings to nadroparin as single therapy. Methods Patients undergoing CPA tumour excision in the period between January 2014 and November 2015 received nadroparin as a single therapy. Patients treated since November 2015 received, in addition to this therapy, peri-operative compression stockings as VTE prophylaxis due to a change in protocol. VTE was defined as symptomatic deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism and was confirmed via radiological imaging or autopsy. Results A total of 146 consecutive patients were reviewed. Treatment groups were comparable with respect to demographics and risk factors. Six of the 60 patients (10.0%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.8–20.5) receiving nadroparin single therapy developed symptomatic VTE. One out of 86 patients (1.2%; 95% CI 0–6.3) treated with combination therapy developed VTE (p = 0.019) with a risk difference of 8.8% (95% CI 1.43–19.0). In comparison to combination therapy, nadroparin single therapy showed a relative risk of 8.6 (95% CI 1.1–69.6). Conclusion Adding compression stockings to peri-operative nadroparin, as a prophylactic strategy for thromboembolic complications in patients undergoing surgical intervention for CPA tumours, was associated with a significant reduction in the occurrence of VTE.


2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 193-207
Author(s):  
Luca Masotti ◽  
Roberto Cappelli ◽  
Grazia Panigada ◽  
Giancarlo Landini ◽  
Mario Di Napoli

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) represents one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in ill medical patients. Avoiding VTE is therefore of utmost importance in clinical practice. VTE prophylaxis can be assured by pharmacological strategies, such as heparinoids, unfractioned heparin, low molecular weight heparins, fondaparinux or oral anticoagulants and, when these are contraindicated, by mechanical measures, such as graduated compression stockings (GCS) and/ or intermittent pneumatic compression (ICP). However, due to the lack of solid literature evidence, VTE mechanical prophylaxis is not standardized in hospitalized ill medical patients. Much recently, findings from randomized clinical trials on VTE prophylaxis in ill medical patients, such as CLOTS I in patients with stroke and LIFENOX in patients with other kind of medical diseases, seem to increase doubts and reduce certainness in this context and recommendations from guidelines don’t help in reducing confusion. Therefore the aim of this review is to focus on mechanical prophylaxis of VTE in hospitalized ill medical patients.http://dx.doi.org/10.7175/rhc.v3i3.202


VASA ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-22
Author(s):  
Schulz ◽  
Kesselring ◽  
Seeberger ◽  
Andresen

Background: Patients admitted to hospital for surgery or acute medical illnesses have a high risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE). Today’s widespread use of low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) for VTE prophylaxis is supposed to have reduced VTE rates substantially. However, data concerning the overall effectiveness of LMWH prophylaxis is sparse. Patients and methods: We prospectively studied all patients with symptomatic and objectively confirmed VTE seen in our hospital over a three year period. Event rates in different wards were analysed and compared. VTE prophylaxis with Enoxaparin was given to all patients at risk during their hospital stay. Results: A total of 50 464 inpatients were treated during the study period. 461 examinations were carried out for symptoms suggestive of VTE and yielded 89 positive results in 85 patients. Seventy eight patients were found to have deep vein thrombosis, 7 had pulmonary embolism, and 4 had both deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. The overall in hospital VTE event rate was 0.17%. The rate decreased during the study period from 0.22 in year one to 0,16 in year two and 0.13 % in year three. It ranged highest in neurologic and trauma patients (0.32%) and lowest (0.08%) in gynecology-obstetrics. Conclusions: With a simple and strictly applied regimen of prophylaxis with LMWH the overall rate of symptomatic VTE was very low in our hospitalized patients. Beside LMWH prophylaxis, shortening hospital stays and substantial improvements in surgical and anasthesia techniques achieved during the last decades probably play an essential role in decreasing VTE rates.


Author(s):  
Richard C. Becker ◽  
Frederick A. Spencer

Venous thromboembolism represents a true worldwide medical problem that is encountered within all realms of practice. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) occurs in approximately 100 patients per 100,000 population yearly in the United States and increases exponentially with each decade of life (White, 2003). Approximately one-third of patients with symptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) experience a pulmonary embolism (PE). Death occurs within 1 month in 6% of patients with DVT and 12% of those with PE. Early mortality is associated strongly with presentation as PE, advanced age, malignancy, and underlying cardiovascular disease. An experience dating back several decades has provided a better understanding of disease states and conditions associated with VTE (Anderson and Spencer, 2003). Given the potential morbidity and mortality associated with VTE, it is apparent that prophylaxis represents an important goal in clinical practice. A variety of anticoagulants including unfractionated heparin, low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), and warfarin have been studied. More recently, two new agents have been developed that warrant discussion. Fondaparinux underwent a worldwide development program in orthopedic surgery for the prophylaxis of VTE. The program consisted mainly of four large, randomized, double-blind phase II studies comparing fondaparinux (SC), at a dose of 2.5 mg starting 6 hours postoperatively, with the two enoxaparin regimens approved for VTE prophylaxis—40 mg qd or 30 mg twice daily beginning 12 hours postoperatively. The results support a greater protective effect with fondaparinux, yielding a 55.2% relative risk reduction of VTE (Bauer et al., 2001; Eriksson et al., 2001; Lassen et al., 2002; Turpie et al., 2001, 2002; ). A European program of three large-scale clinical trials (MElagatran for THRombin inhibition in Orthopedic surgery [METHRO] I, II, and III, and EXpanded PRophylaxis Evaluation Surgery Study [EXPRESS]) (Eriksson et al., 2002a, b, 2003a, b) evaluated the safety and efficacy of subcutaneous melagatran followed by oral ximelagatran compared with LMWH for thromboprophylaxis following total hip replacement (THR) and total knee replacement (TKR) surgery.


2018 ◽  
pp. 121-126
Author(s):  
Abdullah Jibawi ◽  
Mohamed Baguneid ◽  
Arnab Bhowmick

Venous thromboembolism is a common but largely preventable complication following surgery. However, fatal complications can occur as a result of pulmonary embolism following deep vein thrombosis. A structured risk assessment should be performed preoperatively in all surgical patients and thromboprophylaxis measures should be tailored according to patient- and procedure-related factors. These measures include anticoagulation with low molecular weight heparin and the use of mechanical compression devices.


2020 ◽  
pp. 026835552095859
Author(s):  
M Machin ◽  
HC Younan ◽  
S Smith ◽  
Safa Salim ◽  
AH Davies ◽  
...  

Objectives The aim of this systematic review is to assess the performance of graduated compression stockings (GCS) in comparison to no venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in the prevention of hospital-acquired thrombosis in low-risk surgical patients undergoing short-stay procedures. Methods Aligning with PRISMA guidelines, online databases MEDLINE and EMBASE, Cochrane Library® and trial registries were searched. Eligible articles reported the VTE rate in low-risk surgical patients either receiving GCS or no VTE prophylaxis. Results Narrative synthesis was performed on a single eligible article. The included study arm consisted of participants undergoing knee arthroscopy with the use of GCS alone reporting a total of 29 VTE events (4.4%), 16 of which were asymptomatic DVTs (2.4%). Conclusion There is a complete lack of evidence to support the use of GCS in the prevention of HAT for low-risk surgical patients. An adequately powered trial is required to provide level-IA evidence to support this practice.


2020 ◽  
pp. 000313482094890
Author(s):  
Eric H. Bradburn ◽  
Kwok M. Ho ◽  
Madison E. Morgan ◽  
Lauren D’Andrea ◽  
Tawnya M. Vernon ◽  
...  

Background Massive transfusion protocols (MTP) are a routine component of any major trauma center’s armamentarium in the management of exsanguinating hemorrhages. Little is known about the potential complications of those that survive a MTP. We sought to determine the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) following MTP. We hypothesized that MTP would be associated with a higher risk of VTE when compared with a risk-adjusted control population without MTP. Methods The Pennsylvania Trauma Outcome Study database was retrospectively queried from 2015 to 2018 for trauma patients who developed VTE and survived until discharge at accredited trauma centers in Pennsylvania. Patient demographics, injury severity, and clinical outcomes were compared to assess differences in VTE development between MTP and non-MTP patients. A multivariate logistic regression model assessed the adjusted impact of MTP on VTE development. Results 176 010 patients survived until discharge, meeting inclusion criteria. Of those, 1667 developed a VTE (pulmonary embolism [PE]: 662 [0.4%]; deep vein thrombosis [DVT]: 1142 [0.6%]; PE and DVT: 137 [0.1%]). 1268 patients (0.7%) received MTP and, of this subset of patients, 171 (13.5%) developed a VTE during admission. In adjusted analysis, patients who had a MTP and survived until discharge had a higher odds of developing a VTE (adjusted odds ratio: 2.62; 95% CI: 2.13-3.24; P < .001). Discussion MTP is a harbinger for higher risk of VTE in those patients who survive. This may, in part, be related to the overcorrection of coagulation deficits encountered in the hemorrhagic event. A high index of suspicion for the development of VTE as well as aggressive VTE prophylaxis is warranted in those patients who survive MTP.


2019 ◽  
Vol 130 (2) ◽  
pp. 622-628 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian Prell ◽  
Grit Schenk ◽  
Bettina-Maria Taute ◽  
Christian Scheller ◽  
Christian Marquart ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEThe term “venous thromboembolism” (VTE) subsumes deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism. The incidence of DVT after craniotomy was reported to be as high as 50%. Even clinically silent DVT may lead to potentially fatal pulmonary embolism. The risk of VTE is correlated with duration of surgery, and it appears likely that it develops during surgery. The present study aimed to evaluate intraoperative use of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) of the lower extremity for prevention of VTE in patients undergoing craniotomy.METHODSA total of 108 patients undergoing elective craniotomy for intracranial pathology were included in a single-center controlled randomized prospective study. In the control group, conventional compression stockings were worn during surgery. In the treatment group, IPC of the calves was used in addition. The presence of DVT was evaluated by Doppler sonography pre- and postoperatively.RESULTSIntraoperative use of IPC led to a significant reduction of VTE (p = 0.029). In logistic regression analysis, the risk of VTE was approximately quartered by the use of IPC. Duration of surgery was confirmed to be correlated with VTE incidence (p < 0.01); every hour of surgery increased the risk by a factor of 1.56.CONCLUSIONSIntraoperative use of IPC significantly lowers the incidence of potentially fatal VTE in patients undergoing craniotomy. The method is easy to use and carries no additional risks.■ CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE Type of question: therapeutic; study design: randomized controlled trial; evidence: class I.Clinical trial registration no.: DRKS00011783 (https://www.drks.de)


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