Thromboprophylaxis in medical patients: focus on France.
In 2000, the French authorities licensed the low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) enoxaparin for thromboprophylaxis in acutely ill medical patients. However, the lack of official recommendations for this group of patients has contributed to inappropriate use of LMWH. The recent College of Internal Medicine of Paris (CIMOP) and Données Epidémiologiques chez les Patients A Risque Thromboembolique (DEPART) epidemiological studies have confirmed that LMWH is prescribed for 32% of medical inpatients and up to 44% of outpatients. However, they highlight overuse in elderly bedridden patients without acute illness and underuse in patients with severe infections or cardiopulmonary disease. Guidelines are urgently needed to encourage French physicians to target thromboprophylaxis for medical patients who are genuinely at high risk of thromboembolic disease and to prescribe the appropriate dose and duration of therapy.
Bergmann
Jean-François
JF
Service Médecine Interne A, Hôpital Lariboisière, Paris, France. j.f bergmann@lrb.ap-hop-paris.fr
Mouly
Stéphane
S
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D062787:Drug Overdose; D004363:Drug Utilization; D017984:Enoxaparin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization / Q000009:adverse effects; D007239:Infections / Q000150:complications; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000517:prevention & control; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D019851:Thrombophilia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000517:prevention & control*
D017984:Enoxaparin; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents