Intensive Care Unit Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis

Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) is a known complication of hospitalization, frequently extending the length of stay and increasing hospital mortality (Maynard, 2016). Approximately 20% of VTE are associated with a surgical procedure (Henke et al., 2020).

Almost all hospitalized patients have at least one risk factor for VTE, and approximately 40% have three or more risk factors. Without thromboprophylaxis, the incidence of objectively confirmed, hospital-acquired deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) is approximately 10% to 40% among medical or general surgical patients and 40% to 60% following major orthopedic surgery (Geerts et al., 2008).

Commonly, criteria for admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) itself puts patients at an increased risk for developing VTE and subsequent increased risk of morbidity from pulmonary embolism (PE). Some risk factors are related to the acute illness present that allowed for the admission to the ICU unit, and some risk factors may be acquired during the ICU admission due to subsequent medical treatments, for example limitations of mobility, presence of central venous lines or mechanical ventilation and subsequent pharmacological paralysis. Reports of DVT in the population of ICU patients vary in relation to the acuity of the illness in this population. DVT in ICU patients diagnosed with routine venography or Doppler ultrasound found ranges between 10% to 100%. Five studies prospectively screened patients who were not receiving thromboprophylaxis during their ICU stays. The rates of DVT using Fibrinogen Uptake Test, Doppler Ultrasound or venography ranged from 13 to 31% (Geerts et al., 2008). It is essential for all ICUs to assess each patient upon admission to the ICU unit, a change in level of status, for the need for VTE prophylaxis due to the above increased development of risk factors (Geerts et al., 2004).

American Society of Hematology (ASH) 2018 VTE prophylaxis guidelines strongly recommend pharmacological prophylaxis using unfractionated heparin (UFH), low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) or fondaparinux for acutely and critically ill hospitalized medical patients, unless contraindicated. The use of mechanical prophylaxis is an acceptable alternative for patients with increased risk of bleeding and preferred over no prophylaxis. ASH 2019 guidelines for surgical patients similarly recommend pharmacological or mechanical prophylaxis over no VTE prophylaxis.

Some select surgeries have previously been monitored in the Surgical Care Improvement Project; since performance on these surgeries has achieved very high levels, they are not included in this measure.

Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) is a known complication of hospitalization, frequently extending the length of stay and increasing hospital mortality (Maynard, 2016). Approximately 20% of VTE are associated with a surgical procedure (Henke et al., 2020).

Almost all hospitalized patients have at least one risk factor for VTE, and approximately 40% have three or more risk factors. Without thromboprophylaxis, the incidence of objectively confirmed, hospital-acquired deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) is approximately 10% to 40% among medical or general surgical patients and 40% to 60% following major orthopedic surgery (Geerts et al., 2008).

Commonly, criteria for admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) itself puts patients at an increased risk for developing VTE and subsequent increased risk of morbidity from pulmonary embolism (PE). Some risk factors are related to the acute illness present that allowed for the admission to the ICU unit, and some risk factors may be acquired during the ICU admission due to subsequent medical treatments, for example limitations of mobility, presence of central venous lines or mechanical ventilation and subsequent pharmacological paralysis. Reports of DVT in the population of ICU patients vary in relation to the acuity of the illness in this population. DVT in ICU patients diagnosed with routine venography or Doppler ultrasound found ranges between 10% to 100%. Five studies prospectively screened patients who were not receiving thromboprophylaxis during their ICU stays. The rates of DVT using Fibrinogen Uptake Test, Doppler Ultrasound or venography ranged from 13 to 31% (Geerts et al., 2008). It is essential for all ICUs to assess each patient upon admission to the ICU unit, a change in level of status, for the need for VTE prophylaxis due to the above increased development of risk factors (Geerts et al., 2004).

American Society of Hematology (ASH) 2018 VTE prophylaxis guidelines strongly recommend pharmacological prophylaxis using unfractionated heparin (UFH), low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) or fondaparinux for acutely and critically ill hospitalized medical patients, unless contraindicated. The use of mechanical prophylaxis is an acceptable alternative for patients with increased risk of bleeding and preferred over no prophylaxis. ASH 2019 guidelines for surgical patients similarly recommend pharmacological or mechanical prophylaxis over no VTE prophylaxis.

Some select surgeries have previously been monitored in the Surgical Care Improvement Project; since performance on these surgeries has achieved very high levels, they are not included in this measure.

Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) is a known complication of hospitalization, frequently extending the length of stay and increasing hospital mortality (Maynard, 2016). Approximately 20% of VTE are associated with a surgical procedure (Henke et al., 2020).

Almost all hospitalized patients have at least one risk factor for VTE, and approximately 40% have three or more risk factors. Without thromboprophylaxis, the incidence of objectively confirmed, hospital-acquired deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) is approximately 10% to 40% among medical or general surgical patients and 40% to 60% following major orthopedic surgery (Geerts et al., 2008).

Commonly, criteria for admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) itself puts patients at an increased risk for developing VTE and subsequent increased risk of morbidity from pulmonary embolism (PE). Some risk factors are related to the acute illness present that allowed for the admission to the ICU unit, and some risk factors may be acquired during the ICU admission due to subsequent medical treatments, for example limitations of mobility, presence of central venous lines or mechanical ventilation and subsequent pharmacological paralysis. Reports of DVT in the population of ICU patients vary in relation to the acuity of the illness in this population. DVT in ICU patients diagnosed with routine venography or Doppler ultrasound found ranges between 10% to 100%. Five studies prospectively screened patients who were not receiving thromboprophylaxis during their ICU stays. The rates of DVT using Fibrinogen Uptake Test, Doppler Ultrasound or venography ranged from 13 to 31% (Geerts et al., 2008). It is essential for all ICUs to assess each patient upon admission to the ICU unit, a change in level of status, for the need for VTE prophylaxis due to the above increased development of risk factors (Geerts et al., 2004).

American Society of Hematology (ASH) 2018 VTE prophylaxis guidelines strongly recommend pharmacological prophylaxis using unfractionated heparin (UFH), low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) or fondaparinux for acutely and critically ill hospitalized medical patients, unless contraindicated. The use of mechanical prophylaxis is an acceptable alternative for patients with increased risk of bleeding and preferred over no prophylaxis. ASH 2019 guidelines for surgical patients similarly recommend pharmacological or mechanical prophylaxis over no VTE prophylaxis. (NOTE: Some select surgeries have previously been monitored in the Surgical Care Improvement Project; since performance on these surgeries has achieved very high levels, they are not included in this measure.)