NICE guidelines state that patients undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty should start as an in-patient and then continue pharmacological
Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis is an essential part of orthopaedic surgeries in preventing life-threatening thromboembolic events such as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism (PE). Orthopaedic surgery has the highest incidence rate of thromboembolic events as compared to any other surgical specialities, making it an essential component in managing any orthopaedic case. At Queen's Medical Centre (QMC), a major trauma centre in the United Kingdom (UK), sees up to 750 NOF fracture cases annually, making it one of the busiest trauma and orthopaedic centres in the UK. Our study aims to evaluate how
Introduction. Guidelines from the North American Spine Society (2009 and 2013) are the best evidence-based instructions on venous thromboembolism (VTE) and antibiotic prophylaxis in spinal surgery. NICE guidelines exist for
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing elective hip arthroplasty surgery. The balance of post-operative
Rivaroxaban, an oral, direct FXa inhibitor has shown in large phase III trials to be both superior to enoxaparin a low molecular weight heparin for
Patients with pelvic and acetabular fractures have a high risk of developing thromboembolic complications. Despite routine screening, the risk of PE remains high and may develop in patients with negative DVT screening. The search for a means to identify the patient ‘at risk’ has been elusive. 537 consecutive patients, referred to Royal Adelaide Hospital over a 20 year period for treatment of pelvic and acetabular fractures, were evaluated prospectively for pulmonary embolus (PE). 352 patients referred directly to the author were treated with variable dose heparin as prophylaxis to venous thromboembolic (VTE) disease. 184 patients primarily admitted under the general surgeons or to ITU, prior to referral to the author, were treated with fixed dose heparin or Enoxaparin. All patients were followed prospectively to determine the rate of pulmonary embolus. The heparin dosage requirements of those who developed pulmonary emboli were compared to those who did not. Patients were also identified for whom a clinical diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) was made during the study and their heparin dosage requirements were determined. 7 of 352 patients treated with variable dose heparin developed PE (1.98%). 13 of 184 patients treated with fixed dose heparin, Enoxaparin, or combinations, developed PE (7.06%). An incidental finding of DVT was made in 36 patients. Of these, 10 patients (2.8%) were treated with variable dose heparin and 26 patients (14.1%) with fixed dose heparin or Enoxaparin. The average Injury Severity Score was higher in patients treated with variable dose heparin than those treated with fixed dose regimes. Patients treated with variable dose heparin who developed PE showed a progressively increasing heparin requirement. The majority of patients who did not develop PE (72%) showed a progressively decreasing heparin requirement (suggesting reversal of a prothrombotic state). 21% showed an initial increasing heparin requirement followed by a decreasing requirement (suggesting a prothrombotic state that was reversed, e.g. a DVT successfully treated by the increasing heparin dose provided by a variable dose regime). 4% manifested a static heparin requirement (suggesting maintenance of a prothrombotic state). 8 patients treated with variable dose heparin developed DVT. 6/8 patients manifested a phase of progressively increasing heparin requirement, followed by a decreased requirement, and 2/8 patients manifested a sustained level of heparin requirement. Patients with pelvic and acetabular fractures treated with variable dose heparin showed a rate of PE (1.98%). This is remarkably low compared with published rates of PE in such patients, and particularly compared with those patients treated only with chemoprophylaxis. The rate of PE was 3.5x higher and the rate of DVT was 5x higher in patients treated with fixed dose heparin or Enoxaparin. Patients who developed PE or DVT manifested an increasing heparin requirement. An increasing dosage of heparin may protect the ‘at risk’ patient from venous thromboembolism. Fixed dose unfractionated heparin/LMWH may be insufficient to treat the ‘at risk’ patient. An increasing heparin requirement may identify the patient ‘at risk’.
Major orthopaedic surgeries such as total hip and total knee replacements are considered a major risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE). Without prophylaxis, DVT occurs in 10–40% of general surgical or medical patients and 40–60% of patients following major orthopaedic surgery. There has, however, been a perception that VTE is less common in Asia than in Western countries. New evidence has emerged recently that contradicts this perception. Results from multinational epidemiological studies (SMART, AIDA, ENDORSE) clearly showed that the rate of venographic and symptomatic thrombosis after major joint replacement in Asian patients is similar to that previously reported in patients in Western countries. However, thromboprophylaxis is not routinely used in Asia, even in situations considered high risk in Western countries. The ENDORSE study reported that less than 20% of at-risk surgical patients in Asia received prophylaxis compared with over 80% in Western countries. This leaves the majority of patients at risk of developing VTE and VTE-related conditions, which continues after hospital discharge. Current guidelines recommend the use of thromboprophylaxis for at least 10 days and up to 35 days in patients undergoing total joint replacement. Available anticoagulants are effective at preventing VTE but are associated with various limitations, such as parenteral administration as in the case of UFH and LMWH. A narrow therapeutic window, unpredictable pharmacology, frequent coagulation monitoring and dose-adjustment as in the case of vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). Several new, oral anticoagulants are in advanced clinical development, including the direct thrombin inhibitor, dabigatran, and the direct Factor Xa inhibitors, rivaroxaban and apixaban.
Abstract. Introduction. Neck of femur (NOF) fracture patients are at risk of developing venous thromboembolisms (VTE). VTE risks could be reduced by adhering to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommendation for 1 month of prophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin. This audit aimed to assess and improve local compliance to national guidelines on
Introduction. Total contact casting (TCC) is one of the most commonly utilized modalities in the management of diabetic feet. We undertook a retrospective review to determine the prevalence of symptomatic VTE events in patients treated in a weight bearing TCC in our diabetic foot unit, and to formulate guidelines for
Due to working time restrictions a full-shift cross-covering system is commonplace. As more than one surgeon is responsible for trauma admissions in a 24-hour period a complete handover is paramount to ensure continuity of care. The purpose of this audit was to determine whether the introduction of a formal handover/admission form would improve this continuity with regards to prescription of venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in hip fracture patients. In Stirling Royal Infirmary chemical
Venous thromboembolic events (VTE), including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), remain one of the most common complications following total joint arthroplasty. Reported rates of symptomatic VTE following THA and TKA range from 0.83% to 15% and 2% to 10%, respectively. Thus,
The selection of venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis after total joint arthroplasty (TJA) has been controversial. Although the aspirin controversy is presumably resolved, there is no medical evidence for the “optimal”
Considerable debate exists regarding which agent(s) should be preferred for venous thromboembolism (VTE) chemical prophylaxis following joint replacement. We assessed the practice of surgeons regarding
The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) published guidance for reducing the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in January 2010. This guidance has had a significant impact on the management of all inpatients. It is now mandatory to risk assess every inpatient and commence appropriate treatment if indicated. The guidelines specifically exclude outpatients although NICE recognises' that lower limb cast immobilisation is a risk factor for VTE. The purpose of our study was to establish the current practice for the management of outpatients treated with lower limb casts in England. The NHS Choices website lists 166 acute hospitals in England. A telephone audit was conducted in February 2011. A member of the on call orthopaedic team was asked: 1. Are you aware of the NICE guidelines for
Background. Venous Thrombo-Embolism is a recognized complication of lower limb immobilization. In the neuropathic patient total contact casting (TCC) is used in the management of acute charcot neuroathropathy and/or to off-load neuropathic ulcers, frequently for long time periods. To our knowledge there is no literature stating the prevalence of VTE in patients undergoing TCC. We perceive that neuropathic patients with active charcot have other risk factors for VTE which would predispose them to this condition and would mandate the use of prophylaxis. We report a retrospective case series assessing the prevalence of VTE in the patients being treated with TCCs. Methods. Patients undergoing TCC between 2006 and 2018 were identified using plaster room records. These patients subsequently had clinical letters and radiological reports assessed for details around the TCC episode, past medical history and any VTE events. Results. There were 143 TCC episodes in 104 patients. Average age at cast application was 55 years. Time in cast averaged 45 days (range 5 days – 8 months, median 35 days). 3 out of 4 patients had neuropathy as a consequence of diabetes. One TCC related VTE (0.7% of casting episodes) was documented. This was a proximal DVT confirmed on USS 9 days following cast removal. No patient received
Introduction. ‘VTE disease is the new MRSA’, with much attention received in the media and the political world. Following the 2010 NICE guidelines all patients admitted to hospital should have
Introduction. Rivaroxaban, an oral factor Xa inhibitor, has been approved by USFDA for prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in hip and knee arthroplasties. Its indication in hip fracture surgery has been recently recommended in Asian venous thromboembolism (VTE) guidelines. Phase II dose-ranging study demonstrated that 5 mg rivaroxaban is as effective as enoxaparin for
Introduction. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) represents a major cause of morbidity, mortality and financial burden to the NHS. Acquired risk factors are well documented, including immobilisation, lower limb plaster cast and surgery. NICE guidance on
Purpose. The hip fracture has been increasing as the aging population continues to grow. Hip fracture patients are more susceptible to blood loss and venous thromboembolism (VTE). The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid (TXA) in fracture patients undergoing fast-track hemiarthroplasty. Methods. 609 hip fracture patients undergoing hemiarthropalsty from January 2013 to September 2016 were prospectively selected. 289 patients received 15 mg/kg TXA prior to surgery, and the remaining 320 patients received no TXA. All the patients received a fast-track program including nutrition management, blood management, pain management,
British national guidelines recommend agents which antagonise factor Xa or warfarin as prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in lower limb arthroplasty. However, they discourage the use of aspirin prophylaxis. We conducted a prospective, multi-centre audit between two national centres, Ninewells Hospital in Dundee and the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh to compare bleeding and VTE risk. Only Edinburgh routinely uses aspirin as