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European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery

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Open Access 12-06-2023 | Low Molecular Weight Heparin | Original Article

Venous thromboembolism chemoprophylaxis in geriatric trauma patients with isolated severe traumatic brain injury

Authors: Freeman Condon, Areg Grigorian, Dylan Russell, Demetrios Demetriades

Published in: European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Purpose

Low-molecular-weight-heparin (LMWH) has been shown to be associated with a decreased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and mortality compared to unfractionated heparin (UH) in severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). The aim of this study was to see if this association persists among a subset of patients, namely elderly patients with isolated TBI.

Methods

This Trauma Quality Improvement Project (TQIP) database study included patients ≥ 65 years old with severe TBI (Abbreviated injury score [AIS] ≥ 3) that received either LMWH or UH for VTE prophylaxis. Patients with associated severe injuries (extracranial AIS ≥ 3), transferals, deaths < 72-h, hospitalization < 2 days, VTE chemoprophylaxis other than UH or LMWH, or with a history of bleeding diathesis were excluded. The association between VTE, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and pulmonary embolism (PE) with VTE chemoprophylaxis was analyzed with multivariable analysis, subset analyses of different grades of AIS-head injury, and a 1:1 matched LWMH:UH cohort of patients.

Results

Out of 14,926 patients, 11,036 (73.9%) received LMWH. Multivariate analysis showed that patients receiving LMWH had a decreased risk of mortality (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.67–0.97, p < 0.001) but a similar risk of VTE (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.63–1.08). Analysis according to head-AIS showed that LMWH was associated with a decreased risk of PE in patients AIS-3 but not in AIS 4 or 5. In a 1:1 matched cohort of LMWH:UH patients, the risk of PE, DVT and VTE were all similar but LMWH continued to be associated with a decreased risk of mortality (OR 0.81, CI 0.67–0.97, p = 0.023).

Conclusion

LMWH was associated with a decreased risk of overall mortality and reduced risk of PE compared to UH among geriatric patients with a severe head injury.

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Title: Venous thromboembolism chemoprophylaxis in geriatric trauma patients with isolated severe traumatic brain injury
Authors: Freeman Condon
Areg Grigorian
Dylan Russell
Demetrios Demetriades
Publication date: 12-06-2023
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Low Molecular Weight Heparin
Central Nervous System Trauma
Heparin
Phlebothrombosis
Published in: European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery / Issue 1/2024
Print ISSN: 1863-9933
Electronic ISSN: 1863-9941
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00068-023-02299-5

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Venous thromboembolism chemoprophylaxis in geriatric trauma patients with isolated severe traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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