Post-operative Venous Thromboembolism in Patients Operated on for Aorto-iliac Obstruction and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, and the Application of Pharmacological Thromboprophylaxis

Objective/background In light of the methods generally used to assess the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), major vascular operations should be regarded as high risk procedures. Nevertheless, no principles for implementing and maintaining thromboprophylaxis have so far been developed. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and nature of VTE occurrence in patients routinely applying pharmacological thromboprophylaxis following implantation of an aorto-bifemoral prosthesis. Methods The prospective non-randomized study included 105 patients with aortoiliac obstruction and 119 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) treated surgically. During hospitalization pharmacological thromboprophylactic procedures were observed. A duplex test was performed on the day before surgery, on the day of discharge, and 30 days after the patients had left the hospital. Results VTE was detected in 18.1% of the patients with aortoiliac obstruction (9.5% of patients during hospitalization and 8.6% of patients after discharge). VTE was diagnosed in 21.0% of patients with AAA (15.1% of patients during hospitalization and 5.9% of patients after discharge). The incidence of VTE was comparable in both groups, both during hospitalization (p = .51) and in the 30 day period following the end of hospitalization (p = .48). It is advisable that before hospital discharge routine duplex ultrasonography tests should be conducted on the venous systems of all patients who have undergone major vascular operations. Conclusions It is likewise advisable to consider whether thromboprophylaxis for vascular patients should be extended beyond their discharge from hospital.