Abstract
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common complication after surgery. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) affect at least 350,000–600,000 Americans, contributing to 100,000–180,000 deaths each year. These numbers probably underestimate the true incidence which may be 2–3 times higher and are expected to increase as the US population ages. It is estimated that about half of these cases attributed to hospitalized patients occur in surgical patients, and it has become a national patient safety issue.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
The Surgeon General’s call to action to prevent deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism 2008. US Department of Health and Human Services, Washington DC. Available at: http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/deepvein/ http://accpstorage.org/chest08/bestOF/SurgeonGeneralsReport.pdf. Accessed October 22, 2010.
Geerts WH, Bergqvist D, Pineo GF, et al. American college of chest physicians. Prevention of venous thromboembolism: American college of chest physicians evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (8th edition). Chest. 2008;133(6 suppl):381S-453S. PubMed PMID: 18574271. http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/content/133/6_suppl/381S.full.pdf+html
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Clinical Guideline on Prevention of Pulmonary Embolism in Patients Undergoing Total Hip or Knee Arthroplasty 2007. http://www.aaos.org/research/guidelines/PE_guideline.pdf. Accessed October 22, 2010.
Horlocker TT, Wedel DJ, Rowlingson JC, et al. Regional anesthesia in the patient receiving antithrombotic or thrombolytic therapy: American society of regional anesthesia and pain medicine evidence-based guidelines (third edition). Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2010; 35(1):64–101. PubMed PMID: 20052816. http://journals.lww.com/rapm/Fulltext/2010/01000/Regional_Anesthesia_in_the_Patient_Receiving.13.aspx. Accessed October 22, 2010.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2011 Springer-Verlag London Limited
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Cohn, S.L. (2011). Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis. In: Cohn, S. (eds) Perioperative Medicine. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-85729-498-2_5
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-85729-498-2_5
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, London
Print ISBN: 978-0-85729-497-5
Online ISBN: 978-0-85729-498-2
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)