Thromboembolism after trauma: An analysis of 1602 episodes from the American College of Surgeons National Trauma Data Bank

M. Margaret Knudson*, Danagra G. Ikossi, Linda Khaw, Diane Morabito, Larisa S. Speetzen, Steven R. Shackford, Lazar J. Greenfield, Richard J. Mullins, Anna M. Ledgerwood, A. Brent Eastman

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

442 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: Venous thromboembolic events (VTE) are potentially preventable causes of morbidity and mortality after injury. We hypothesized that the current clinical incidence of VTE is relatively low and that VTE risk factors could be identified. Methods: We queried the ACS National Trauma Data Bank for episodes of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and/or pulmonary embolism (PE). We examined demographic data, VTE risk factors, outcomes, and VTE prophylaxis measures in patients admitted to the 131 contributing trauma centers. Results: From a total of 450,375 patients, 1602 (0.36%) had a VTE (998 DVT, 522 PE, 82 both), for an incidence of 0.36%. Ninety percent of patients with VTE had 1 of the 9 risk factors commonly associated with VTE. Six risk factors found to be independently significant in multivariate logistic regression for VTE were age ≥40 years (odds ratio [OR] 2.01; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.74 to 2.32), lower extremity fracture with AIS ≥3 (OR 1.92; 95% CI 1.64 to 2.26), head injury with AIS ≥3 (OR 1.24; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.46), ventilator days >3 (OR 8.08; 95% CI 6.86 to 9.52), venous injury (OR 3.56; 95% CI 2.22 to 5.72), and a major operative procedure (OR 1.53; 95% CI 1.30 to 1.80). Vena cava filters were placed in 3,883 patients, 86% as PE prophylaxis, including in 410 patients without an identifiable risk factor for VTE. Conclusions: Patients who need VTE prophylaxis after trauma can be identified based on risk factors. The use of prophylactic vena cava filters should be re-examined.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)490-498
Number of pages9
JournalAnnals of surgery
Volume240
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2004
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Thromboembolism after trauma: An analysis of 1602 episodes from the American College of Surgeons National Trauma Data Bank'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this