Theraputic anticoagulation in the trauma patient: Is it safe?

• Published in: Surgery 2008-10, Vol.144 (4), p.591-597
• Main Authors: Golob, Joseph F., MD, Sando, Mark J., MD, Kan, Justin C., BA, Yowler, Charles J., MD, Malangoni, Mark A., MD, Claridge, Jeffrey A., MD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; General aspects; Medical sciences; Surgery
• ISSN: 0039-6060; 1532-7361
• DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2008.06.022

Purpose Trauma patients who require therapeutic anticoagulation pose a difficult treatment problem. The purpose of this study was to determine: (1) the incidence of complications using therapeutic anticoagulation in trauma patients, and (2) if any patient factors are associated with these complications. Methods An 18-month retrospective review was performed on trauma patients ≥ 15 years old who received therapeutic anticoagulation using unfractionated heparin (UH) and/or fractionated heparin (FH). Forty different pre-treatment and treatment patient characteristics were recorded. Complications of anticoagulation were documented and defined as any unanticipated discontinuation of the anticoagulant for bleeding or other adverse events. Results One-hundred-fourteen trauma patients were initiated on therapeutic anticoagulation. The most common indication for anticoagulation was deep venous thrombosis (46%). Twenty-four patients (21%) had at least 1 anticoagulation complication. The most common complication was a sudden drop in hemoglobin concentration requiring blood transfusion (11 patients). Five patients died (4%), 3 of whom had significant hemorrhage attributed to anticoagulation. Bivariate followed by logistic regression analysis identified chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR = 9.2, 95%CI = 1.5–54.7), UH use (OR = 3.8, 95%CI = 1.1–13.0), and lower initial platelet count (OR = 1.004, 95%CI = 1.000–1.008) as being associated with complications. Patients receiving UH vs. FH differed in several characteristics including laboratory values and anticoagulation indications. Conclusion Trauma patients have a significant complication rate related to anticoagulation therapy, and predicting which patients will develop a complication remains unclear. Prospective studies are needed to determine which treatment regimen, if any, is appropriate to safely anticoagulate this high risk population.