Clot Risk Remains High in Medical Patients After Discharge

A study of medically ill hospitalized patients revealed that more than half of venous thromboembolic events occurred after hospital discharge.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that patients hospitalized for acute medical illness are at increased risk for developing venous thromboembolism (VTE). Although guidelines for the duration of VTE prophylaxis exist for patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery (JW Gen Med Mar 1 2012), guidelines for duration of VTE prophylaxis for medical patients do not exist.

Researchers analyzed admission records for more than 11,000 patients (mean age, 68) who were admitted with a diagnosis of severe lung disease, congestive heart failure, cancer, or severe infectious disease in 2005–2008. The average length of hospital stay was 5.3 days. About 47% of patients received pharmacologic VTE prophylaxis during admission, and 9% received prophylaxis after…

Reviewing Author

Neil H. Winawer, MD, SFHM

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Neil H. Winawer, MD, SFHM

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose