Lunzer Andreas
Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna
Austria
Research Article
A Prospective, Active-control, Non-inferiority Study of the Effectiveness of Low Molecular Weight Heparin in the Prophylaxis of Postoperative Thrombotic Events in Patients Undergoing Spinal Surgery
Author(s): Lunzer Andreas, Vavken Patrick and Grohs Josef GeorgLunzer Andreas, Vavken Patrick and Grohs Josef Georg
Background: The Incidence of verified thrombotic events after elective spine surgery is 18%. Low-Molecular- Weight-Heparin (LMWH) is routinely given on the day before surgery. A postoperative start of the thrombotic prophylaxis could be an advantage in cases with opening of the spinal canal and for preventing epidural bleeding. Patient and methods: This active-controlled non-inferiority trial compared the effectiveness and safety of LMWH started pre- or postoperatively in patients undergoing spinal surgery. We analysed the incidence of clinically symptomatic venous thromboembolism. Results: A total number of 241 patients were followed over 14.6 patient-years. The incidence risk of fatal thromboembolisms was 0.011 (95%CI 0.0003 to 0.06) for the group with preoperative treatment and 0.01 (95% CI 0.0002 to 0.04) for the pos.. View More»
