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Thromboprophylaxis for Hospitalized Medical Patients

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Precision Anticoagulation Medicine

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Abstract

Thromboprophylaxis for hospitalized medical inpatients is an integral part of their routine comprehensive care and is often part of institution policies. Despite its effectiveness, it remains underutilized in many hospitals and parts of the world. Risk stratification models have been developed to help identify patients who would benefit most or to exclude patients at risk for bleeding.

Low-molecular-weight heparin, low-dose unfractionated heparin, and fondaparinux remain the cornerstone medications used. Data is emerging on the value of betrixaban, a non-vitamin-K antagonist, for extended prophylaxis following hospital discharge.

Nonpharmacologic prophylaxis should be offered to patients who do not qualify for pharmacologic prophylaxis or as an adjunct to it.

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Abbreviations

ACCP:

American College of Chest Physicians

CrCl:

Creatinine clearance

DVT:

Deep vein thrombosis

ECS:

Elastic compression stockings

LDUH:

Low-dose unfractionated heparin

LMWH:

Low-molecular-weight heparin

MTHFR:

Methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase

PE:

Pulmonary embolism

UFH:

Unfractionated heparin

VTE:

Venous thromboembolism

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Scarborough Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Hany Guirguis

  2. Saskatoon Cancer Centre, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

    Mark Bosch, Kelsey Brose & Hadi Goubran

Authors
  1. Hany Guirguis
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  2. Mark Bosch
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  3. Kelsey Brose
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  4. Hadi Goubran
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hany Guirguis .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Saskatoon Cancer Centre College of Medicine University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

    Hadi Goubran

  2. Faculty of Medicine Cairo University, Giza, Egypt

    Gaafar Ragab

  3. College of Human Medicine Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA

    Suzy Hassouna

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Guirguis, H., Bosch, M., Brose, K., Goubran, H. (2020). Thromboprophylaxis for Hospitalized Medical Patients. In: Goubran, H., Ragab, G., Hassouna, S. (eds) Precision Anticoagulation Medicine. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-25782-8_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-25782-8_11

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-25782-8

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