Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2009 Apr;35(2):169-75. doi: 10.1007/s00068-008-8015-y. Epub 2008 Dec 08.
Insufficient Evidence for Routine Use of Thromboprophylaxis in Ambulatory Patients with an Isolated Lower Leg Injury Requiring Immobilization: Results of a Meta-Analysis.
European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society
Roderik Metz, Egbert-Jan M M Verleisdonk, Geert J M G van der Heijden
Affiliations
Affiliations
- Department of Surgery, Erasmus Medical Centre, Diakonessenhuis Utrecht, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. [email protected].
- Department of Surgery, Erasmus Medical Centre, 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. [email protected].
- Department of Surgery, Erasmus Medical Centre, Diakonessenhuis Utrecht, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
- University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
PMID: 26814772
DOI: 10.1007/s00068-008-8015-y
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There are no generally accepted guidelines for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in ambulatory patients requiring immobilization after an isolated lower leg injury. Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of pharmacological interventions for preventing VTE in these patients.
STUDY DESIGN: Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched PubMed/Medline, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for trials with random allocation of thromboprophylaxis, notably low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) versus no prophylaxis or placebo, in ambulatory patients with below-knee or lower leg (including the knee joint) immobilization. Outcome was analyzed using MIX to calculate the pooled risk ratio/relative risk (RR) for each outcome, along with its 95% confidence interval (CI).
RESULTS: The RR of asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was 0.66 (95% CI 0.44; 1.02) for below-knee immobilization and 0.51 (95% CI 0.37; 0.70) for lower leg immobilization. Low molecular weight heparin versus no prophylaxis or placebo was evaluated. The incidence of symptomatic DVT and PE was too low to show any statistically significant difference between thromboprophylaxis and controls in both groups. Although only one adverse bleeding event was considered to bemajor, the RR for any adverse bleeding event was 1.94 (95% CI 1.03; 3.67).
CONCLUSION: There is insufficient evidence to warrant routine use of thromboprophylaxis in ambulatory patients with below-knee or lower leg immobilization after an isolated lower leg injury. The incidence of symptomatic VTE is too low to show a relevant clinical benefit from thromboprophylaxis.
Keywords: Immobilization; Low molecular weight heparin; Lower leg; Thromboprophylaxis; Thrombosis
References
- N Engl J Med. 1994 Dec 15;331(24):1601-6 - PubMed
- Arch Intern Med. 2000 Dec 11-25;160(22):3415-20 - PubMed
- Unfallchirurgie. 1994 Dec;20(6):319-28 - PubMed
- JAMA. 2007 Sep 12;298(10):1209-12 - PubMed
- Thromb Diath Haemorrh. 1975 Nov 15;34(2):597 - PubMed
- Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2002;(4):CD000305 - PubMed
- Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1998 Mar;(348):180-5 - PubMed
- Injury. 1996 Jul;27(6):385-90 - PubMed
- N Engl J Med. 2002 Sep 5;347(10):726-30 - PubMed
- BMC Med Res Methodol. 2006 Oct 13;6:50 - PubMed
- Unfallchirurg. 1998 Jan;101(1):42-9 - PubMed
- Haemostasis. 1993 Mar;23 Suppl 1:20-6 - PubMed
- Chirurg. 1993 Jun;64(6):483-91 - PubMed
- Lancet. 1999 Nov 27;354(9193):1896-900 - PubMed
- Dtsch Med Wochenschr. 1992 Jan 3;117(1):6-10 - PubMed
- Injury. 2006 Sep;37(9):813-7 - PubMed
- Chest. 2004 Sep;126(3 Suppl):338S-400S - PubMed
- BMC Med Imaging. 2005 Oct 03;5:6 - PubMed
- Control Clin Trials. 1996 Feb;17(1):1-12 - PubMed
- Am J Emerg Med. 2007 Jun;25(5):502-8 - PubMed
- Lancet. 1995 Aug 19;346(8973):459-61 - PubMed
- Thromb Res. 2002 Mar 15;105(6):477-80 - PubMed
- Unfallchirurg. 2000 Jun;103(6):475-8 - PubMed
- Vasa Suppl. 1991;33:222-3 - PubMed
- J Orthop Trauma. 2007 Jan;21(1):52-7 - PubMed
- Semin Thromb Hemost. 1993;19 Suppl 1:131-41 - PubMed
- Vasa Suppl. 1992;35:105-6 - PubMed
Publication Types