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Thromb Haemost 2017; 117(03): 606-617
DOI: 10.1160/TH16-08-0595
Stroke, Systemic or Venous Thromboembolism
Schattauer GmbH

Efficacy and safety of extended thromboprophylaxis for medically ill patients

A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Francesco Dentali
1   Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Insubria University, Varese, Italy
,
Nicola Mumoli
2   Department of Internal Medicine, Ospedale Civile di Livorno, Livorno, Italy
,
Domenico Prisco
3   Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Italy
,
Andrea Fontanella
4   Department of Internal Medicine , Ospedale Fatebenefratelli , Napoli, Italy
,
Matteo Nicola Dario Di Minno
5   Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Division of Cardiology, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 03 August 2016

Accepted after major revision: 10 January 2016

Publication Date:
21 November 2017 (online)

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Summary

Compelling evidence suggests that the risk of pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) persists after hospital discharge in acutely-ill medical patients. However, no studies consistently supported the routine use of extended-duration thromboprophylaxis (ET) in this setting. We performed a meta-analysis to assess efficacy and safety of ET in acutely-ill medical patients. Efficacy outcome was defined by the prevention of symptomatic DVT, PE, venous thromboembolism (VTE) and VTE-related mortality. Safety outcome was the occurrence of major bleeding (MB) and fatal bleeding (FB). Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (95 %CI) were calculated for each outcome using a random effects model. Four RCTs for a total of 28,105 acutely-ill medical patients were included. ET was associated with a significantly lower risk of DVT (0.3 % vs 0.6 %, OR 0.504, 95 %CI: 0.287–0.885) and VTE (0.5 % vs 1.0 %, OR: 0.544, 95 %CI: 0.297–0.997); a non-significantly lower risk of PE (0.3 % vs 0.4 %, OR 0.633, 95 %CI: 0.388–1.034) and of VTE-related mortality (0.2 % vs 0.3 %, OR 0.687, 95 %CI: 0.445–1.059) and with a significantly higher risk of MB (0.8 % vs 0.4 %, OR 2.095, 95 %CI: 1.333–3.295). No difference in FB was found (0.06 % vs 0.03 %, OR 1.79, 95 %CI: 0.384–8.325). The risk benefit analysis showed that the NNT for DVT was 339, for VTE was 239, and the NNH for MB was 247. Results of our meta-analyses focused on clinical important outcomes did not support a general use of antithrombotic prophylaxis beyond the period of hospitalization in acutely-ill medical patients.

Keywords

Pulmonary embolism - deep-vein thrombosis - antithrombotic prophylaxis
 

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