[Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis methods in trauma and emergency surgery intensive care unit patients: low molecular weight heparin versus elastic stockings + intermittent pneumatic compression].
BACKGROUND
We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) compared to elastic stockings in combination with intermittent pneumatic compression (ES+IPC) in venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in the intensive care unit (ICU) of trauma and emergency surgery.


METHODS
From June 2005 to June 2007, 259 patients who were on mechanic ventilation in the ICU were assigned to two groups as either LMWH (152 patients) or ES+IPC (94 patients). Color flow Doppler sonography was performed on the 3rd and 7th days.


RESULTS
Deep venous thrombosis was determined in 3 (2%) of the LMWH group and in 1 (1%) in the ES+IPC group. Minor bleeding was seen in 15 patients. The frequency of VTE was 1.5%. Two patients suffered from fatal pulmonary embolism (PE) among a total of 4 patients with PE.


CONCLUSIONS
We believe that the protocol applied for VTE prophylaxis in the Emergency Surgery Department of Istanbul Medical Faculty is effective and safe in this group with such high mortality and morbidity.
Department of General Surgery, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Kürşat
K
Serin
Hakan
H
Yanar
Yaşar
Y
Ozdenkaya
Simru
S
Tuğrul
Mehmet
M
Kurtoğlu
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D053828:Stockings, Compression / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015996:Survival Rate; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality
D000925:Anticoagulants; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight