Prophylaxis Against Venous Thromboembolism in Acutely Ill Medical Patients: An Observational Study

Objectives To analyze the inter-observer reliability of risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in a population of adult acutely-ill medical patients. Methods In this prospective cohort study, we collected risk factors and risk classification for VTE using RAM IMPROVE7. Kappa statistics was used to evaluate inter-observer reliability between lead clinicians and trained researchers. We evaluated occurrence of VTE in patients with mismatched classification. Results We included 2,380 patients, median age 70 years (interquartile range [IQR], 58-79), 56.2% female. Adjusted Kappa for VTE risk factors ranged from substantial (0.64, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61-0.67) for “immobilization”, to almost perfect (0.98; 95% CI 0.97-0.99) for “thrombophilia”; risk classification was 0.64 (95% CI 0.60-0.67). Divergent risk classification occurred in 434 patients (18.2%) of whom seven (1.6%) developed VTE. Conclusion Despite substantial to almost perfect reliability between observers for risk factors and risk classification, lead clinicians tended to underestimate the risk for VTE.

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A Prospective Multicenter Observational Study of Venous Thromboembolism after Gastric Cancer Surgery (SHISA-1601)

European Surgical Research ◽

10.1159/000514309 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Sachiko Kaida ◽

Toru Miyake ◽

Satoshi Murata ◽

Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi ◽

Takeshi Tatsuta ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gastric Cancer ◽

Venous Thromboembolism ◽

Blood Transfusion ◽

Observational Study ◽

Characteristic Curve ◽

Cancer Surgery ◽

Gastric Cancer Surgery ◽

Multicenter Observational Study ◽

Prospective Multicenter Observational Study ◽

D Dimer

Introduction: This study aimed to clarify the frequency and risk factors of intercurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients undergoing major curative gastric cancer surgery. Methods: This prospective, multicenter, observational study included patients with gastric cancer who underwent radical gastrectomy at 5 hospitals between June 2016 and May 2018. Patients who were preoperatively administered anticoagulants were excluded. Results: A total of 126 patients were eligible to participate. VTE occurred within 9 days postoperatively in 5 cases (4.0%; 2 symptomatic and 3 asymptomatic). Postoperative day (POD) 1 plasma D-dimer and soluble fibrin (SF) levels were significantly higher in the VTE group than in the non-VTE group. Receiver-operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis indicated a statistically significant ability of POD 1 D-dimer and SF levels to predict postoperative VTE development after gastrectomy; this finding was reflected by an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.97 (95% CI 0.92–1.0) and 0.87 (95% CI 0.74–1.0), respectively. Cutoff values of D-dimer (24.6 µg/mL) and SF (64.1 µg/mL) were determined. Intraoperative blood transfusion (odds ratio [OR] 7.86), POD 1 D-dimer ≥24.6 µg/mL (OR 17.35), and POD 1 SF ≥64.1 µg/mL (OR 19.5) were independent predictive factors for postoperative VTE (p < 0.05). Conclusion: VTE occurred in 4.0% patients (1.6% symptomatic and 2.4% asymptomatic) after gastric cancer surgery; however, with an early diagnosis and anticoagulant therapy, no patients experienced progression. Careful observation of patients with a high risk for VTE, including intraoperative blood transfusion and high POD 1 D-dimer or SF levels, would contribute to the early detection of VTE.

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The prediction of in-hospital mortality by mid-upper arm circumference: a prospective observational study of the association between mid-upper arm circumference and the outcome of acutely ill medical patients admitted to a resource-poor hospital in sub-Saharan Africa

Clinical Medicine ◽

10.7861/clinmedicine.18-2-123 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 123-127 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Martin Otyek Opio ◽

Teopista Namujwiga ◽

Imaculate Nakitende ◽

John Kellett ◽

Mikkel Brabrand

Keyword(s):

Observational Study ◽

Hospital Mortality ◽

Prospective Observational Study ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Medical Patients ◽

Upper Arm ◽

Arm Circumference ◽

Resource Poor ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Mid Upper Arm Circumference

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Can fondaparinux safely prevent the occurrence of venous thromboembolism in acutely ill medical patients?

Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine ◽

10.1038/ncpcardio0582 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 3 (7) ◽

pp. 358-359 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sam Schulman

Keyword(s):

Venous Thromboembolism ◽

Medical Patients

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Disease burden and unmet needs for prevention of venous thromboembolism in medically ill patients in Europe show underutilisation of preventive therapies

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1160/th11-03-0168 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 106 (10) ◽

pp. 600-608 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Sharon Welner ◽

Maria Kubin ◽

Kerstin Folkerts ◽

Sylvia Haas ◽

Hanane Khoury

Keyword(s):

Venous Thromboembolism ◽

Care Delivery ◽

Risk Groups ◽

Considerable Proportion ◽

Medical Illness ◽

Medical Patients ◽

Vte Prophylaxis ◽

Medically Ill ◽

Medical Inpatients ◽

Clear Identification

SummaryIt was the aim of this review to assess the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and current practice patterns for VTE prophylaxis among medical patients with acute illness in Europe. A literature search was conducted on the epidemiology and prophylaxis practices of VTE prevention among adult patients treated in-hospital for major medical conditions. A total of 21 studies with European information published between 1999 and April 2010 were retrieved. Among patients hospitalised for an acute medical illness, the incidence of VTE varied between 3.65% (symptomatic only over 10.9 days) and 14.9% (asymptomatic and symptomatic over 14 days). While clinical guidelines recommend pharmacologic VTE prophylaxis for patients admitted to hospital with an acute medical illness who are bedridden, clear identification of specific risk groups who would benefit from VTE prophylaxis is lacking. In the majority of studies retrieved, prophylaxis was under-used among medical inpatients; 21% to 62% of all patients admitted to the hospital for acute medical illnesses did not receive VTE prophylaxis. Furthermore, among patients who did receive prophylaxis, a considerable proportion received medication that was not in accord with guidelines due to short duration, suboptimal dose, or inappropriate type of prophylaxis. In most cases, the duration of VTE prophylaxis did not exceed hospital stay, the mean duration of which varied between 5 and 11 days. In conclusion, despite demonstrated efficacy and established guidelines supporting VTE prophylaxis, utilisation rates and treatment duration remain suboptimal, leaving medical patients at continued risk for VTE. Improved guideline adherence and effective care delivery among the medically ill are stressed.

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Prevention of venous thromboembolism in hospitalized patients with chronic kidney disease

Italian Journal of Medicine ◽

10.4081/itjm.2010.269 ◽

2013 ◽

pp. 269-276

Author(s):

Marcora Mandreoli ◽

Antonio Santoro

Keyword(s):

Renal Failure ◽

Venous Thromboembolism ◽

Renal Disease ◽

Case Reports ◽

Current Evidence ◽

High Morbidity ◽

Medical Patients ◽

Medically Ill ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Therapeutic Doses

Despite the high morbidity and mortality associated with venous thromboembolism in hospitalized medical patients with a number of risk factors, and large evidence that prophylaxis is effective, prophylaxis rates remain elusive in medically ill patients. Furthermore, in patients with renal failure, prophylaxis often is omitted or sub-optimal, due to fear of provoking hemorrhage. Patients with end-stage renal disease often have platelet deficits. Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) therapy may also be difficult to manage in these cases because LMWH clearance is largely dependent on the kidneys. Administration of LMWH to patients with some degree of renal failure may lead to bioaccumulation of anti-Xa activity with an increased risk of bleeding. In recent years, LMWH has largely replaced unfractionated heparin (UFH) for the treatment and prophylaxis of thromboembolic disease. LMWHs have been shown to be superior to UFH in the prevention of venous thromboembolism. They are also easier to administer and do not require laboratory monitoring. However, several case reports and a metaanalysis indicate that the use of LMWHs at therapeutic doses in patients with advanced renal failure can be associated with major bleeding with serious adverse effects. In this paper, we review recent evidence supporting the safety of LMWHs at prophylactic doses in patients with mild or moderate renal disease. Current evidence suggests that bioaccumulation of enoxaparin (the most widely used LMWH) can occur when the drug is used at standard therapeutic doses in patients with severely impaired renal function. This risk can be reduced by empiric dose reduction or monitoring of anti-Xa heparin levels.

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