Preoperative Sepsis Is Associated with Risk for Arterial and Venous Thromboses

Coronary artery disease is a risk factor for postoperative arterial thrombosis; male sex, older age, cancer history, and prior venous thrombosis are risk factors for postoperative venous thrombosis. However, whether systemic inflammation (which induces a hypercoagulable state) promotes risk for postoperative arterial or venous thrombosis is unclear. In this study, investigators used data on 2.3 million adults who underwent surgery at 374 U.S. hospitals from 2005 to 2012 to evaluate associations between preoperative sepsis and risk for postoperative venous and arterial thromboses. Preoperative sepsis was defined as systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), sepsis, and severe sepsis/shock within 48 hours preceding surgery.

Identified out…