Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 19, 2025

Tail Vein Transection Bleeding Model in Fully Anesthetized Hemophilia A Mice
08:13

Tail Vein Transection Bleeding Model in Fully Anesthetized Hemophilia A Mice

Published on: September 30, 2021

6.3K

Assessment of bleeding risk in low-weight patients receiving prophylactic subcutaneous unfractionated heparin

Andrew J Jatis1, Scott D Nei1, Joseph J Zieminski1

  • 1Department of Pharmacy, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.

Vascular Medicine (London, England)
|August 9, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Bleeding risk in low-weight patients receiving unfractionated heparin for VTE prophylaxis is low. However, ICU admission at the start of treatment may increase bleeding risk, warranting further investigation.

Area of Science:

  • Internal Medicine
  • Pharmacology
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Underweight patients may face higher bleeding risks during venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis.
  • Identifying patient-specific bleeding risk factors in this population is crucial.
  • This study focuses on low-weight patients receiving subcutaneous unfractionated heparin (SQH) for VTE prophylaxis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence of bleeding in low-weight patients receiving SQH for VTE prophylaxis.
  • To identify risk factors associated with bleeding in this patient group.
  • To inform clinical practice regarding VTE prophylaxis in underweight individuals.

Main Methods:

  • A single-center, retrospective, nested case-control study was conducted.
  • Low-weight patients (<= 60 kg) receiving SQH for VTE prophylaxis for at least 48 hours were included.
  • Cases (bleeding events) and controls (no bleeding) were matched 1:3 for age, sex, service, and time at risk.

Main Results:

  • A total of 3761 patients were analyzed, with 38 cases of clinically relevant bleeding.
  • The bleeding incidence was 1% by hospital day 6 and 2.8% by hospital day 14.
  • Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission at SQH initiation was associated with increased bleeding risk (OR 2.97).

Conclusions:

  • Clinically relevant bleeding is uncommon in low-weight patients on prophylactic SQH.
  • ICU admission at the start of SQH therapy may be a risk factor for bleeding.
  • Further research is needed to identify additional risk factors and explore dose adjustments in this population.
Abstract

Keywords:
bleedinglow body weightunfractionated heparinvenous thromboembolism (VTE)

More Related Videos

Rapid Point-of-Care Assay of Enoxaparin Anticoagulant Efficacy in Whole Blood11:17

Rapid Point-of-Care Assay of Enoxaparin Anticoagulant Efficacy in Whole Blood

Published on: October 12, 2012

13.8K
Author Spotlight: Deciphering Coagulation Disorders in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients04:56

Author Spotlight: Deciphering Coagulation Disorders in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients

Published on: August 4, 2023

798

Related Concept Videos

Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins01:30

Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins

Hemostasis is a crucial process that prevents excessive blood loss from damaged blood vessels. It involves various mechanisms such as vasoconstriction, platelet adhesion and activation, and fibrin formation. The importance of each mechanism depends on the type of vessel injury. In contrast, thrombosis is the abnormal formation of a blood clot within the blood vessels, leading to potential complications if the clot obstructs blood flow. Thrombosis can be caused by increased coagulability of the...
753
Venous Thrombosis IV: Nursing Management01:30

Venous Thrombosis IV: Nursing Management

Nursing management begins with a thorough assessment of the patient's health history. Key factors include trauma to veins, peripherally inserted central catheters, varicose veins, recent pregnancy or childbirth, surgery, bacteremia, prolonged bed rest, atrial fibrillation, COPD, heart failure, cancer, coagulation disorders, myocardial infarction, spinal cord injury, stroke, prolonged travel, recent bone fractures, and dehydration. Review medication intake, particularly oral contraceptives,...
14
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care01:29

Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care

Venous thrombosis requires effective prevention and treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes and reduce potential complications.Prevention StrategiesHealthcare providers must prioritize preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) for all adult patients upon admission. Interventions depend on bleeding and thrombosis risk, medical history, current medications, diagnoses, planned procedures, and patient preferences. Patients on bed rest should change positions every two hours and, if not...
10
Disorders of Hemostasis01:24

Disorders of Hemostasis

Hemostasis, the process that stops bleeding after a blood vessel injury, is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the circulatory system. However, disorders of hemostasis can disrupt this delicate balance, leading to either excessive clotting or bleeding. These disorders can be broadly classified into thromboembolic disorders and bleeding disorders.
Thromboembolic Disorders
Two factors primarily cause thromboembolic conditions.
991
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Assessing Blood Pressure01:10

Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Assessing Blood Pressure

Accurate blood pressure assessment is crucial for diagnosing and managing various health conditions. To ensure the reliability of these measurements, healthcare professionals must adhere to standardized pre-procedural guidelines. These guidelines enhance patient safety and improve the overall quality of healthcare. The following steps are essential for obtaining accurate and consistent blood pressure readings, from using the appropriate tools to ensuring effective communication with the...
595
Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care01:29

Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care

Diagnosing Pulmonary EmbolismDiagnosing pulmonary embolism (PE) involves clinical assessment and advanced imaging tests. The preferred diagnostic tool is the spiral (helical) CT scan or CT angiography (CTA), which uses intravenous contrast media to visualize the pulmonary vasculature and identify emboli.A ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan is an alternative for patients unable to receive contrast media. This scan includes both perfusion and ventilation scanning. Perfusion scanning involves...
10