title: Prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism in surgical patients.
abstract: Venous thromboembolic disease is a common, potentially life-threatening, but preventable complication of surgery. Venographic studies have shown a high incidence of deep vein thrombosis in patients who do not receive prophylaxis. The long-term sequelae of deep vein thrombosis in these patients can be disabling, but the exact prevalence of post-thrombotic complications has not been well documented. Fatal pulmonary embolism has been reported in 0.5% to 1% of patients after major abdominal surgery and in 2% to 6% after total hip replacement. Several methods of prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism have demonstrated efficacy, but a surprising number of patients still do not receive prophylaxis. A medical record review in 16 hospitals recently disclosed that only 32% of high-risk patients received prophylaxis, with a range from 9% in a community hospital to 56% in a major teaching hospital. The possible reasons for this comparatively low rate of utilization are discussed. Current issues and future trends in the prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism are briefly summarized.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester 01655.
authors.forename: H B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Wheeler
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Anderson
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000517:prevention & control; D014680:Veins