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Postpartum venous thromboembolism prophylaxis may cause more harm than benefit: a critical analysis of international guidelines through an evidence-based lens.

ABSTRACT: Based on prediction models and expert opinion, most obstetric venous thromboembolism guidelines recommend low-molecular-weight heparin for many postpartum women, including most delivering by caesarean. Scrutiny reveals major oversights: prediction models are based on studies that report asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis; risk estimates are not adjusted for time exposure; and harm caused by heparin has been overlooked. The benefits of heparin are exaggerated and its harms are under-appreciated. Estimates of the numbers-needed-to-treat and harm are universally lacking. This paper critically reviews the evidence and quantifies the benefit and harm from low-molecular-weight heparin in postpartum women with common risk factors.

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This work was unsponsored and unfunded.

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Randomised trials should demonstrate more benefit than harm before widespread postpartum low-molecular-weight heparin is recommended.

SUBMITTER: Kotaska A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6055738 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Postpartum venous thromboembolism prophylaxis may cause more harm than benefit: a critical analysis of international guidelines through an evidence-based lens.

Kotaska A A

BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology 20180307 9

Based on prediction models and expert opinion, most obstetric venous thromboembolism guidelines recommend low-molecular-weight heparin for many postpartum women, including most delivering by caesarean. Scrutiny reveals major oversights: prediction models are based on studies that report asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis; risk estimates are not adjusted for time exposure; and harm caused by heparin has been overlooked. The benefits of heparin are exaggerated and its harms are under-appreciated. E ...[more]

PMID: 29512316

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Project description:Extended venous thromboembolism prophylaxis (EVTEP) with low-molecular weight heparin such as enoxaparin for 28 days following surgery for cancer significantly reduces venous thromboembolic events compared to a standard 6-10 day course. National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines suggest EVTEP should be offered to patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery. Local EVTEP prescribing and monitoring guidelines in a busy inner city teaching hospital colorectal surgery unit, were devised to ensure NICE guidelines are followed. Adherence to local EVTEP guidelines was recorded through a retrospective audit of patients undergoing elective colorectal cancer surgery during February 2011 (n=19). Prospective re-audit cycles were undertaken during April-May (n=17) and September-December 2012 (n=17). The first audit cycle revealed that overall standards were not being met with just 11% of 'at risk' patients being correctly identified in pre-operative assessment clinic and continued low adherence to guidelines on the ward with only 44% of patients being prescribed EVTEP at discharge. Following each audit cycle, educational interventions were directed towards the multi-disciplinary team involved in the care of patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery. This involved education of the team members regarding EVTEP, presentation of the audit results with instruction for improvement. Results of the second and third audit cycles showed improvements in guideline adherence with 100% of patients in these cohorts having been prescribed EVTEP at discharge. Marked improvements were also seen in the correct identification of 'at risk' patients, patient education in pre-operative assessment clinic, and warning of potential side-effects. This project has shown a significant global improvement in EVTEP-related patient care and adherence to local guidelines following education of the multi-disciplinary team involved, which consequently reduced the risk of venous thromboembolism within this patient cohort.

Project description:BackgroundVenous thromboembolism (VTE) including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism is a frequent complication in immobile patients with acute ischemic stroke. This guideline document presents the European Stroke Organisation guidelines for the prophylaxis of VTE in immobile patients with acute ischaemic stroke. Guidelines for haemorrhagic stroke have already been published.MethodsA multidisciplinary group identified related questions and developed its recommendations based on evidence from randomised controlled trials using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. This guideline document was reviewed within the European Stroke Organisation and externally and was approved by the European Stroke Organisation Guidelines Committee and the European Stroke Organisation Executive Committee.ResultsWe found mainly moderate quality evidence comprising randomised controlled trials and systematic reviews evaluating graduated compression stockings (GCS), intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) and prophylactic anticoagulation with unfractionated (UFH) and low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) and heparinoids, but no randomised trials evaluating neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NES). We recommend that clinicians should use IPC in immobile patients, but that they should not use GCS. Prophylactic anticoagulation with UFH (5000U ×2, or ×3 daily) or LMWH or heparinoid should be considered in immobile patients with ischaemic stroke in whom the benefits of reducing the risk of VTE is high enough to offset the increased risks of intracranial and extracranial bleeding associated with their use. Where a judgement has been made that prophylactic anticoagulation is indicated LMWH or heparinoid should be considered instead of UFH because of its greater reduction in risk of DVT, the greater convenience, reduced staff costs and patient comfort associated single vs. multiple daily injections but these advantages should be weighed against the higher risk of extracranial bleeding, higher drug costs and risks in elderly patients with poor renal function associated with LMWH and heparinoids.ConclusionsIPC, UFH or LMWH and heparinoids can reduce the risk of VTE in immobile patients with acute ischaemic stroke but further research is required to test whether NES is effective. The strongest evidence is for IPC. Better methods are needed to help stratify patients in the first few weeks after stroke onset, by their risk of VTE and their risk of bleeding on anticoagulants.

Dataset Information

Postpartum venous thromboembolism prophylaxis may cause more harm than benefit: a critical analysis of international guidelines through an evidence-based lens.

Funding

Tweetable abstract

Publications

Postpartum venous thromboembolism prophylaxis may cause more harm than benefit: a critical analysis of international guidelines through an evidence-based lens.

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