Mechanical plus pharmacological prophylaxis for deep vein thrombosis in acute spinal cord injury

This pilot study assessed the effectiveness of external pneumatic compression (EPC) with gradient elastic stockings (GES) and low dose heparin (LDH) in the prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in acute spinal cord injured (SCI) patients in the first 14 days following injury. Twenty-one consecuti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Paraplegia 1992-08, Vol.30 (8), p.558-562
Main Authors: MERLI, G. J, CRABBE, S, DOYLE, L, DITUNNO, J. F, HERBISION, G. J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Bandages
Biological and medical sciences
Female
Gravity Suits
Heparin - therapeutic use
Humans
Injuries of the nervous system and the skull. Diseases due to physical agents
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Spinal Cord Injuries - complications
Thrombophlebitis - etiology
Thrombophlebitis - prevention & control
Traumas. Diseases due to physical agents
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Summary:This pilot study assessed the effectiveness of external pneumatic compression (EPC) with gradient elastic stockings (GES) and low dose heparin (LDH) in the prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in acute spinal cord injured (SCI) patients in the first 14 days following injury. Twenty-one consecutive patients within 48 hrs of injury with acute C2 through T12 motor complete or nonfunctional motor incomplete spinal cord lesions were enrolled. 125 I fibrinogen scanning was performed daily. A positive scan was confirmed by venography. Thrombosis was demonstrated in 1/19 patients. A control group from a previous study confirmed thrombosis in 6/17 patients (p = 0.04). Comparison of extent of thrombosis demonstrated a reduction in the treated group (p = 0.02). This pilot study demonstrates that EPC with GES plus LDH may be an effective prophylactic regimen in these patients.
ISSN:0031-1758
1362-4393
1476-5624
DOI:10.1038/sc.1992.115