The Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism in Surgical Patients

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2017:906:1-8. doi: 10.1007/5584_2016_100.

Abstract

Patients undergoing surgery are at an increased risk of VTE. Since the early 1990s the prevention of VTE has been dominated by the administration of low-molecular weight heparin during admission. New oral anticoagulants have been extensively researched and have increased in popularity. This chapter reviews why surgical patients are at increased risk of VTE and summaries both the pharmacological and mechanical methods of prophylaxis available.

Keywords: Anticoagulation; Deep vein thrombosis; Prevention; Pulmonary embolus; Venous thromboembolism.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use*
  • Communicable Diseases / physiopathology
  • Dabigatran / therapeutic use
  • Dehydration / physiopathology
  • Fondaparinux
  • Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / therapeutic use*
  • Hormone Replacement Therapy / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Obesity / physiopathology
  • Polysaccharides / therapeutic use
  • Primary Prevention
  • Pulmonary Embolism / etiology
  • Pulmonary Embolism / pathology
  • Pulmonary Embolism / prevention & control*
  • Risk Factors
  • Surgical Procedures, Operative / adverse effects
  • Venous Thromboembolism / etiology
  • Venous Thromboembolism / pathology
  • Venous Thromboembolism / prevention & control*
  • Venous Thrombosis / etiology
  • Venous Thrombosis / pathology
  • Venous Thrombosis / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight
  • Polysaccharides
  • Dabigatran
  • Fondaparinux