Low molecular weight heparin in prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis in Asian general surgical patients: A Kashmir experience

• Published in: Indian journal of critical care medicine Vol. 16; no. 2; pp. 71 - 74
• Main Authors: Dar, Tanveer Iqbal, Wani, Khursheed Alam, Ashraf, Mohd, Malik, Aijaz, Ahmad, Sanjeed, Gojwari, Tariq A, Iqbal, Arshad
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd 01.04.2012; Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers Ltd; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd
• Subjects: Demographic aspects; Prevention; Venous thrombosis; India; prophylaxis; thrombosis; Heparin
• ISSN: 0972-5229; 1998-359X
• DOI: 10.4103/0972-5229.99107

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs at a lower rate in Asia than in the rest of the world. We wanted to study the significance and efficacy of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in prophylaxis of DVT in major general surgical patients in the Kashmir Valley (India, Asia) so as to make it a routine in our patients. This was a prospective study in which the effect of LMWH was compared with no prophylaxis. LMWHs are more effective than no prophylaxis in the prevention of DVT and pulmonary thromboembolism in highest-risk general surgical patients (odds ratio = 16.64; 95% confidence interval = 3.63-1130.03; P-value = 0.014). LMWHs have a significant prophylactic effect on DVT in general surgical patients, with a higher benefit to risk ratio, and, in spite of the low incidence of DVT in Asia, its prophylaxis should routinely be considered in this part of the world as well, preferably in the form of LMWHs.