Pharmaco-prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis for in-patients at risk, in a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Background: There is limited data from India on Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Prophylaxis. This study was done in hospitalised patients at high risk for DVT, to determine the patterns and rates of pharmacoprophylaxis, drugs used and their clinical outcomes.Methods: This prospective study screened patients for risk of DVT using the Padua risk assessment model. Padua score ≥4 were included and data on disease demographics, prophylaxis and outcomes of DVT at 12 weeks were collected. Factors affecting prophylaxis were assessed using multivariate logistic regression.Results: Out of 453 screened, 200 eligible patients were recruited. 48.5% were females; mean age was 54.6±16.6; 50.5% received some thromboprophylaxis, of which 24%, 35.5% and 9% received pharmacoprophylaxis, mechanoprophylaxis and a combination of both respectively. Low Molecular Weight Heparin was the most commonly used drug (77.1%). Adverse drug reactions reported were 24, none related to anticoagulant use. At 12 weeks, 18 (9%) patients gave history suggestive of DVT. 5 deaths were reported, but the cause could not be ascertained. Patients who had cardiac/ respiratory failure [OR =5.2 (95%CI - 1.13, 24.6), p = 0.03], acute MI or stroke [OR = 9.0 (3.5, 23.09), p <0.001], those admitted to medical specialties [OR = 3.4 -1.4, 7.9), p = 0.004] and to private wards [OR = 7.4 (3.13, 17.5), p <0.001] had significantly higher chances of receiving prophylaxis.Conclusions: Underutilisation of effective prophylaxis, despite high prevalence of DVT risk. Emphasis on routine risk assessment of hospitalized patients and administration of appropriate prophylaxis to those at high risk is required.