Assessment of postoperative venous thromboembolic complications

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Postoperative venous thromboembolic events (VTEs) are a preventable cause of death. Adherence to available guidelines and prophylactic measures is suboptimal. This study examined postoperative VTEs prevalence, prophylaxis guideline adherence, and VTEs risk factors among surgical patients at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Saudi Arabia. METHODOLOGY: This retrospective study analyzed VTEs patients from August 2020 to November 2022. Medical records collected data on patients, procedures, prevention, guideline adherence, and VTEs diagnosis. The statistical analysis evaluated the link between prophylactic measures and VTEs occurrence. RESULTS: Thirty-one (32%) of the 97 VTEs diagnosed in patients were postoperative VTEs. Mortality rates were 18.5%, and for postoperative VTEs patients were 12.9%. Most patients (87.1%) were at high risk (Caprini score ≥ 5) for VTEs. Abdominopelvic procedures were 64.5% of cases. Approximately 60% of patients received postoperative prophylaxis. Enoxaparin was the most frequently used prophylaxis method (63.1%). Mechanical prophylaxis was used in 36.8% of patients who received prophylaxis. Compliance for extended prophylaxis was only 10.5%. Late initiation of prophylactic measures was significantly associated with deep vein thrombosis occurrence. CONCLUSION: The study emphasizes the need to follow prophylaxis guidelines. Improving compliance with prophylactic measures, especially for high-risk patients, can potentially reduce postoperative VTEs.

Keywords

• deep vein thrombosis
• postoperative venous thromboembolic events
• pulmonary embolism
• thromboprophylaxis
• venous thromboembolism