Subcutaneous heparin not optimal protect against venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis than intravenous heparin to patients undergone abdominal surgery
Currently, standard care for blood clot that forms within a vein or venous thromboembolism (VTE) is by subcutaneous heparin.
However, current findings that presented at the Society of Critical Care Medicine 40th Critical Care Congress, patients that received subcutaneous heparin no better than intravenous (IV) heparin protects against VTE.
According to the authors of the study, the patients who have undergone major abdominal surgery had no detectable levels of anti-Xa activity 5 days after surgery (the peak levels of anti-Xa activity were 0), because absorption appears to be decreased in these patients. But, those received IV heparin showed statistically significant increases in anti-Xa activity on day 3 and day 4, although the levels are still low (0.04 U/mL in day 3, and 0.05 U/mL in day 4).
Also, by using a whole blood coagulation device called the Sonoclot, the researchers found that the patients who received subcutaneous heparin had a hypercoagulable profile for up to 5 days after surgery, but that patients who received IV heparin had a normal profile.
In addition, no lower-extremity deep vein thrombosis was found on screening ultrasounds in either group, nor were there any episodes of major bleeding or heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
The authors concluded that there were no difference for ICU length of stay due to the therapy process or risk of 28-day mortality, and more larger study needed to determine the efficacy of IV heparin for the prevention of postoperative VTE in surgical intensive care patients.
