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Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Screening for Proximal Lower Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis
Published on: February 10, 2023
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Routine Pharmacological Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) Prophylaxis in Lower-Limb Injuries: A Three-Year Retrospective
Mahmoud Mersal1, Jija Thomas1, Mohamed Elmarakby1
1Trauma and Orthopaedics, University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) Foundation Trust, Birmingham, GBR.
Cureus
|December 22, 2025
Summary
Routine pharmacological prophylaxis for lower-limb injuries significantly reduced venous thromboembolism (VTE) events. While bleeding episodes were common, this approach appears effective in preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Vascular Surgery
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Lower-limb injuries and immobilization elevate venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk.
- The study investigates outcomes after implementing routine VTE prophylaxis in a UK teaching hospital.
Purpose of the Study:
- Evaluate three years of routine VTE prophylaxis for lower-limb injuries.
- Focus on inpatient thromboembolic events, bleeding, and prescribing patterns.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of patients with lower-limb injuries (2022-2024).
- Data extracted from hospital prescribing systems.
- Primary outcomes: symptomatic VTE, bleeding episodes, prophylaxis agent use.
Main Results:
- 4,011 patients included; enoxaparin was the primary agent (86.5%).
- 36.0% of patients had bleeding-related entries.
- Zero deep vein thrombosis (DVT) cases and one pulmonary embolism (PE) recorded.
Conclusions:
- Routine VTE prophylaxis, mainly low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), is effective in reducing thromboembolic events.
- Inpatient bleeding events were frequent but ungraded.
- Limited use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) observed.
Keywords:
apixabanbleedingdeep vein thrombosis (dvt)enoxaparinlower limb immobilisationpulmonary embolism (pe)venous thromboembolismMore Related Videos
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