Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis among Elderly Heart Failure Patients and 60-Day Outcomes: An Analysis from ADHERE Linked to Medicare Claims

Abstract

Background: Hospitalized medically ill patients are at increased risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE). While antithrombotic prophylaxis regimens have reduced VTE risk in medically ill patients, their effectiveness for post-discharge outcomes among HF patients is unknown. Methods: We used ADHERE registry data linked to Medicare claims. We included patients hospitalized from 2001 to 2004, discharged alive. Patients on warfarin or IV heparin were excluded. We estimated observed 60-day rates of mortality, thromboembolic events, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), and rehospitalization for HF using estimates based on the cumulative incidence function.