Incidence of venous thromboembolism in patients with traumatic brain injury

A Systematic Review of the Benefits and Risks of Anticoagulation Following Traumatic Brain Injury

“…In other words, studies that included patients of greater injury severity or with unstable hemorrhage patterns were more likely to find higher rates of VTE and ICH progression than those studies restricted to patients with small and/or stable injury patterns. The differences in the choice of outcome measures and study populations might also partially explain why Denson et al 6 and Geerts et al 7 observed much higher incidence of VTE for TBI patients than the studies included in this review. The Denson et al study only included TBI patients at high risk for VTE who underwent weekly lower-extremity venous surveillance.…”

“…2-5 Denson et al reported a VTE incidence of 25% in patients experiencing isolated TBI, compared to 2% in all trauma patients and 18% in high risk patients, and suggested that early prophylaxis against VTE was warranted among TBI patients. 6 The incidence of VTE may be as high as 54% among patients with major head trauma not treated with mechanical or pharmacological prophylaxis. 7 However, anticoagulation treatment is complicated by the possibility of exacerbated bleeding in trauma patients.…”

Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis and treatment in patients with acute stroke and traumatic brain injury

“…A recent retrospective analysis of 88 patients with isolated TBI found a DVT incidence of 25%, using venous duplex color flow Doppler imaging, despite the use of intermittent graded pneumatic compression devices in all patients [26 ]. Prophylaxis with LMWH was given in only 42% of patients, with a mean time to administration after admission of 14 days.…”

Benefits and Risks of Anticoagulation Resumption Following Traumatic Brain Injury

“…1(p15) Risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and stroke increases substantially following TBI. 2-6 Treatment with anticoagulant therapy can reduce the risk of thrombotic events after TBI, but this benefit must be balanced against the potential for a higher risk of bleeding, particularly intracranial hemorrhage. 2,7-9 …”