Dose-adjusted thrombosis prophylaxis in trauma surgery according to levels of D-Dimer

Thromb Res. 2000 Jun 15;98(6):473-83. doi: 10.1016/s0049-3848(00)00208-5.

Abstract

In 234 trauma surgery patients, thrombosis prophylaxis with Nadroparin-Calcium low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) was adjusted according to levels of D-Dimer. Basic prophylaxis was 2,850 IU per day. If D-Dimer concentrations rose above 2 mg/L after the fourth postoperative (p.o.) day, LMWH was administered twice a day. Color Doppler ultrasound was performed between the fifth and seventh p.o. days. Patients were divided into a high-risk (group 1: hip, femur, or knee replacement surgery, n=102) and a moderate-risk group (group 2: other surgery of the knee, tibia, fibula, or foot, n=132). Group 1 showed significantly higher D-Dimer levels than group 2 (p<0.001). Measurement of D-Dimer on days 2 and 4 p.o. showed a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 72.8% in identifying patients at risk (i.e., D-Dimer>2 mg/L after day 4 p.o.). The overall deep vein thrombosis (DVT) rate in group 1 was 3.9%, and the rate of proximal DVT was 1.96%. In group 2, one distal DVT (0.8%) occurred. The results show that D-Dimer is a useful marker to monitor p.o. coagulation activation and to manage LMWH prophylaxis in trauma surgery patients.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antifibrinolytic Agents / blood
  • Antithrombin III / metabolism
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Female
  • Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / metabolism*
  • Fractures, Bone / complications
  • Fractures, Bone / surgery
  • Humans
  • Leg Injuries / complications
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nadroparin / administration & dosage
  • Peptide Hydrolases / metabolism
  • Risk Factors
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Time Factors
  • Venous Thrombosis / blood
  • Venous Thrombosis / drug therapy
  • Venous Thrombosis / prevention & control*
  • Wounds and Injuries / complications
  • Wounds and Injuries / drug therapy*
  • Wounds and Injuries / surgery

Substances

  • Antifibrinolytic Agents
  • Biomarkers
  • Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products
  • Nadroparin
  • antithrombin III-protease complex
  • fibrin fragment D
  • Antithrombin III
  • Peptide Hydrolases