cardiac surgery and reduction of risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE)

Last edited 08/2018

NICE has given specific advice regardind cardiac surgery and reduction of risk of DVT/PE

• offer VTE prophylaxis to patients undergoing cardiac surgery who are not having other anticoagulation therapy and are assessed to be at increased risk of VTE
  • start mechanical VTE prophylaxis at admission. Choose any one of:
  • anti-embolism stockings or
  • intermittent pneumatic compression
  • continue until the person no longer has significantly reduced mobility relative to their normal or anticipated mobility
  • consider adding pharmacological VTE prophylaxis for a minimum of 7 days for people who are undergoing cardiac surgery and are not having other anticoagulation therapy:
    • use LMWH as first-line treatment
    • if LMWH is contraindicated, use fondaparinux sodium

Reference:

• 1) NICE (March 2018). Venous thromboembolism in over 16s: reducing the risk of hospital-acquired deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism