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Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Screening for Proximal Lower Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis
Published on: February 10, 2023
Venous thromboembolism in elective operations: balancing the choices
Motaz Qadan1, Margaret Tyson, Michael H McCafferty
1Price Institute of Surgical Research, Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40292, USA.
Surgery
|October 14, 2008
Summary
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) rates are very low in elective surgery patients across three large databases. This suggests current prophylaxis strategies may need reassessment for optimal patient benefit and risk adjustment.
Area of Science:
- Medical research
- Public health
- Surgical outcomes
Background:
- Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a significant cause of death in hospitalized patients, contributing to 250,000 annual fatalities.
- Shifting prophylaxis practices in surgery follow observations of lower VTE rates in elective procedures.
- The study aims to estimate the true risk of VTE in elective surgery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of VTE in patients undergoing elective surgery.
- To evaluate VTE complication rates across different healthcare data sources.
- To inform risk-adjusted VTE prophylaxis strategies.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP), University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC), and Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) databases.
- Analyzed patient groups from 2004 for VTE incidence.
- Focused on deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) rates.
Main Results:
- SCIP data (5,285 operations): DVT 0.4%, PE 0.3%, no deaths.
- UHC data (966,474 operations): DVT 1.2%, PE 0.5%.
- CHFS data (20,563 patients): DVT 0.5%, PE 0.3%, 3 deaths.
Conclusions:
- VTE incidence and mortality are notably low across the three large datasets analyzed.
- Ongoing assessment of VTE prophylaxis necessity and potential complications is recommended.
- Risk-adjusted prophylaxis strategies may enhance patient outcomes.
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