From the Research
DVT Prophylaxis in Patients Receiving Blood Transfusion for Anemia
- The recommended DVT prophylaxis in patients receiving blood transfusion for anemia is not explicitly stated in the provided studies.
- However, studies suggest that anticoagulant prophylaxis can reduce the risk of DVT in hospitalized medical patients, including those with anemia 1, 2.
- A study found that patients with acute blood loss anemia who received a transfusion were at increased risk for developing VTE, whereas patients with anemia who did not receive a transfusion were not 3.
- Another study found that anticoagulant prophylaxis was associated with a significantly lower risk of asymptomatic DVT and asymptomatic proximal DVT, but also with an increased risk of major bleeding 2.
- The use of a DVT Risk Alert Tool (DRAT) has been shown to improve the appropriateness of DVT prophylaxis use among medical inpatients, particularly among high DVT risk patients 4.
Risk Factors and Barriers to DVT Prophylaxis
- Risk factors for DVT and bleeding in medical patients may help to identify patients in whom anticoagulant prophylaxis is indicated or contraindicated, but validated risk stratification schemes are lacking 1.
- Barriers to optimal DVT prophylaxis include lack of clear indications and contraindications for prophylaxis, concerns about bleeding risks, and underrecognition of the problem by healthcare providers 5.
- Interventions to optimize prophylaxis, such as preprinted orders outlining DVT risk factors and educating front-line care providers, may help to bridge the gap between knowledge and practice 5.