Update in the prevention and treatment of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism

Managing patients with side effects and adverse events to immunoglobulin therapy

Immunoglobulin therapy has not only served as a lifesaving approach for the prevention and treatment of infections in primary and secondary immunodeficiency diseases, but has also been used as an immunomodulatory agent for autoimmune and inflammatory disorders and to provide passive immunity for some infectious diseases. Most of the adverse effects associated with immunoglobulin therapy are mild, transient and self-limiting. However, serious side effects also occur. Therefore, to minimize the adverse events of immunoglobulin therapy, specialist review of patient clinical status and immunoglobulin products, in addition to selection of appropriate treatment strategy for the management of patients with associated side effects and adverse events, are crucial.

Is thromboembolism prophylaxis necessary for low and moderate risk patients in maxillofacial trauma? A retrospective analysis

This study was designed to investigate retrospectively the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and the need for thromboembolism prophylaxis in patients undergoing surgery for oral and maxillofacial trauma. Data were obtained from all patients treated under general anaesthesia for maxillofacial trauma between January 2000 and January 2009 in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam. Patients' records were reviewed for complaints and information related to deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). The patients were classified according to a risk classification, and the incidence of reported DVT and PE was calculated. None of the patients received any form of thromboembolism prophylaxis. Of the 479 patients included in this study, one presented with VTE (0.2%). This male patient was treated for a panfacial trauma and was classified as high risk. From all analysed parameters only surgery time classification proved to have a significant relationship with VTE.

The AVAIL ME study: a multinational survey of VTE risk and prophylaxis

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major public health issue that is frequently underestimated. The primary objective of this multinational survey was to identify patients at risk for VTE, and to define the rate of patients receiving appropriate prophylaxis in the Middle Eastern region. Standardized case report forms were filled by trained individuals on one predefined day in selected hospitals. Data were then entered and analyzed by independent biostatisticians. Risk was categorized according to American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) guidelines, 2004. Logistic regressions were carried out to assess factors that determined VTE prophylaxis. 845 (37%) medical and 1421 (63%) surgical patients were eligible for the study. Patients were at low (4.2%), moderate (51.7%), high (9%) and very high risk (35.2%) for VTE. Any VTE prevention was given in 17.9, 41.7, 60.6 and 66.9% of respective risk categories, while ACCP guidelines were applied in 86.3, 41.1, 48.3 and 24.5% of these categories. Surgical patient type, immobility on admission, and contraceptive use were the most important drivers of VTE prophylaxis in those who were eligible to it (OR ≥ 2). Surgical patient type, immobility during hospitalization, existence of a VTE protocol and chronic heart failure were the most important drivers for VTE prophylaxis application in patients who were not eligible for it (OR ≥ 3). A concordance κ value of 0.16 was found between eligibility for VTE prophylaxis on one hand and its application in practice (P < 0.001). Risk factors for VTE and eligibility for VTE prophylaxis are common, but VTE prophylaxis and guidelines application are low.

The prevention of deep venous thrombosis in physically restrained patients with schizophrenia

BACKGROUND

Physical restraint and seclusion are associated with several risks. Antipsychotic drug use increases this risk.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether the risk of thromboembolism in physical restraint and seclusion of patients with psychosis, treated with antipsychotic medication, was considered by taking preventive measures.

METHOD

Anonymous data on all consecutively admitted patients with schizophrenia, treated with antipsychotic medication, between 2002 and 2009, were analysed. Diagnostic information and data about seclusion procedures and medication were collected. Preventive measures of thromboembolism in patients in physical restraint were assessed by reviewing case notes and the medication prescribed at the time of seclusion.

RESULTS

Seclusion of patients with psychosis is common. Out of 679 identified patients, 170 had been secluded (472 events). Physical restraint use was not a rare event (N seclusions with restraint use 296, 62.7%). Pharmacological preventive measures (use of heparine drugs) were taken frequently to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) by physical restraint or isolation. Sixty-five (38.2%) out of 170 secluded patients, including a majority of patients who had been under physical restraint, had been administered anticoagulants at the time of seclusion. No cases of DVT occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

Preventive measures were routinely administered in clinical practice and were effective in the prevention of DVT. For a clinical setting, it is important to establish a clear and detailed management plan on seclusion and fixation taken into account in all possible risks of physical restraint.

Incidence of venous thromboembolism in oral and maxillofacial surgery: a retrospective analysis

This study retrospectively investigates the incidence and risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients undergoing maxillofacial surgery. Data were obtained from patients treated between January 2005 and June 2006. Patients' records were reviewed for complaints and information relating to deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). All patients completed a questionnaire on complaints relating to DVT and PE. The patients were classified according to risk and the incidence of reported DVT and PE was calculated. The study population comprised 411 patients with a mean age of 32 (+/- 17) years. The median postoperative follow-up period was 53 (23-639) days. None of the patients received thromboembolism prophylaxis. The incidence of VTE in the study group was 0.5%. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated a relationship between body mass index and hospital stay with thromboembolism (p<0.05). Patients undergoing pre-implant surgery with bone graft proved to be at risk (p=0.07). The incidence of VTE in oral and maxillofacial surgery seems to be low, but thromboembolism prophylaxis may be justified in patients with clear potential risk factors.

[Pulmonary embolism]

The annual incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) in western industrial nations is about 1 to 1.5 cases per 1,000 citizens. For the prognosis of the patients it is important to consider PE early as a differential diagnosis. The clinical disorders are non-specific and varied. The most frequent clinical signs of PE are dyspnoea, tachypnoea, tachycardia and chest pain. Diagnostic algorithms are available for the diagnosis of PE. There is a cardinal difference in diagnostic procedure between clinically stable and instable patients. The criteria for stability are mainly hemodynamic values. In hemodynamically instable patients echocardiography is the most important diagnostic tool. Therapeutical goals depend on the severity of PE and include hemodynamic stabilisation, prevention of the growth of the thrombus, recanalisation of pulmonal arterial vessels, removal of hypoxemia, and prophylaxis of recurrence. Anticoagulation is the only therapy of choice in stable patient of risk classification I. Interventions like thrombolysis and embolectomy are mainly indicated in hemodynamically instable patients.

[Minimizing perioperative risk - an interdisciplinary effort]

Physicians involved in perioperative care have to face new challenges because of the continuing aging of the population and medical progress, which facilitates even more invasive surgery. The risk of surgical procedures is elevated in patients with cardiac co-morbidity necessitating an optimization of both clinical condition and preoperative therapy of these patients. Innovative therapeutic concepts like fast-track surgery, new approaches in coronary revascularisation, and new strategies of anticoagulation require an interdisciplinary treatment of these patients and a strict collaboration of surgeons and anaesthesiologists with the colleagues from other nonsurgical disciplines like internal medicine and cardiology. Physicians should start beforehand the interdisciplinary preparation of surgical patients as out-patients and should continue this approach during the stay in hospital. In this review, we describe the major perioperative cardiac, pulmonary and vascular risks for physicians involved in the treatment of surgical patients.

Primary prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism in surgical patients

Venous thromboembolism is a major risk for surgical patients during the perioperative period. Prevention of perioperative venous thromboembolism remains a critical component of surgical patient care. The risk for venous thromboembolism in surgical patients can be stratified by their risk factors and by the type of operation. Pharmacological prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism includes unfractionated heparin, low-molecular weight heparin, fondaparinux, warfarin, antiplatelet therapy, and direct thrombin inhibitors. Mechanical devices such as graduated compression stockings, intermittent pneumatic compressions, and venous foot pumps are also effective modalities for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. The optimal preventive measure of venous thromboembolism should be based on the degree of risk for venous thromboembolism with the intensity of prophylaxis while balancing potential treatment benefits and risks in each individual patient. The epidemiology of venous thromboembolism, the methods for achieving venous thromboembolism prophylaxis, and the approach to institute venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in surgical patients undergoing various operative interventions are reviewed in this article.