National survey in the United Kingdom of prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis for patients with fracture of the neck of the femur.
Thromboprophylaxis continues to be a contentious issue because of a lack of clear answers to pertinent questions. Hence, a survey is helpful in identifying current practices. A national survey in the UK in January 2004 investigated the use of thromboprophylaxis following fracture of the neck of the femur. Responses from 723/1648 (44%) orthopaedic consultants to a postal questionnaire showed that 623 (86%) regularly undertook trauma surgery and 625 (87%) had protocols for prophylaxis of deep venous thrombosis. In all, 555 (89%) consultants followed these protocols routinely and, of these, 276 (50%) regularly used both chemical and mechanical prophylaxis, 235 (42%) used chemoprophylaxis only and 44 (8%) used mechanical prophylaxis only. Among consultants using chemoprophylaxis, 238 (46%) used low-molecular-weight heparin, 148 (30%) used aspirin, 75 (15%) used low-molecular-weight heparin and aspirin, 35 (6%) used unfractionated heparin and 15 (3%) used warfarin. However, 68 (11%) did not use any thromboprophylaxis at all for patients with fractured neck of the femur.
Academic Department of Surgery, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK. rajaganeshan@hotmail.com
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D005265:Femoral Neck Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D048228:Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D053828:Stockings, Compression / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006113:United Kingdom; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents