Objective: Although, there are methods recommended with consensus all over the world for the prophylaxis of
deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolus (PE), these principles of prophylaxis may be neglected in
clinical practice.
Materials and Methods: This study was performed to investigate the neglected prophylaxis in patients who were
transferred to our clinics after the development of PE at the hospital and in floor patients with risk factors. Patients,
who were hospitalized for other reasons, developed PE, and were risky for VTE were included in the study. Charts
of the patients with PE (n=21) were reviewed retrospectively, and those of the patients with risk factors for VTE
(n=74) were reviewed prospectively.
Results: Sixteen patients with PE were female and 5 were male. Their mean age was 44,2±14,4 years. Although they
have been hospitalized for 12,6±10,7 days and their mean risk factor was 2,3 (1-4), none of them were on
prophylaxis. Most frequent risk factors were operation (27,1%), elderliness (25%) and trauma (10,4%).
Of the 74 patients with one or more risk factors for VTE, 43 were in surgery department, 7 were in internal
medicine floor and 17 were in the intensive care unit. Their mean duration of hospitalization, mean age and mean
risk factor number were 15,2±8,9 days, 48,7±18,1 years and 2,7 (1-6) risk factors respectively. Only 17 of them
(23%) were on prophylaxis for VTE. Most common administration of prophylaxis was noted in intensive care
clinics (52,9%) whose mean risk factor was highest (2,9%), and the least prophylaxis was noted in obstetric and
gynecology clinics (7,1%).
Conclusion: Although PE is an important reason for the in-hospital mortality, prophylaxis for VTE has not been
administered sufficiently. We think that, in case of sufficient administration of prophylaxis especially for patients
with risk factors, development of VTE and/or PE incidence and their attributable morbidity and mortality will decrease.
Key Words: Deep vein thrombosis, Pulmonary emboli, Prophylaxis.
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