title: Complications of anticoagulation for pulmonary embolism in low risk trauma patients.
abstract: Trauma patients are at significant risk for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Anticoagulation is standard therapy for DVT/PE, but may cause severe complications. We reviewed the course of 70 trauma ICU patients treated over a 28-month period. Thirty-six patients (51.4 percent) were treated by continuous IV heparin and/or oral warfarin. Of these, 13 patients (36 percent) developed complications requiring termination of anticoagulation. These included recurrent PE (four), subdural hematomas (three), hemothorax (two), heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (one), hemorrhagic pericardial effusion (one), retroperitoneal hematoma (one), and sudden unexplained drop in hemoglobin and shock (one). All patients with subdural hematomas had no prior evidence of head injury on brain computed tomography. All patients with recurrent PE received adequate anticoagulation therapy. Age > 55 was associated with increased risk of complications (8 of 13; p = .02:chi 2). Thirty-four other patients (48.6 percent) received inferior vena caval filters with no related complications or deaths. Anticoagulation for DVT/PE should be used selectively in trauma patients and avoided in elderly patients. Such patients should undergo early caval filter placement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Camden, Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center 08103.
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Brathwaite
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Mure
authors.forename: K F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: O'Malley
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Spence
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Ross
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006406:Hematoma / Q000139:chemically induced; D006491:Hemothorax / Q000139:chemically induced; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014859:Warfarin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin; D006493:Heparin