Non-pharmacological Prophylaxis of Venous Thromboembolism in Acutely Ill Medical Patients
Luca Masotti *
Internal Medicine, Santa Maria Nuova Hospital, Florence, Italy
Mario Di Napoli
Neurological Service, San Camillo de’ Lellis General Hospital, Rieti, Italy
Gianni Lorenzini
Internal Medicine, Cecina Hospital, Cecina, Italy and Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
Daniel Agustin Godoy
Neurointensive Care Unit, Sanatorio Pasteur, Catamarca, Argentina
Roberto Cappelli
Thrombosis Center, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
Grazia Panigada
Internal Medicine, Pescia Hospital, Pescia, Italy
Niccolò Bettoni
Internal Medicine, Santa Maria Nuova Hospital, Florence, Italy
Giancarlo Landini
Internal Medicine, Santa Maria Nuova Hospital, Florence, Italy
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) represents one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in acutely ill medical patients. VTE prophylaxis can be assured by pharmacological strategies and, when contraindicated, by non pharmacological measures, such as early mobilization, graduated compression stockings (GCS), intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) or inferior vena caval filters. Literature evidence on non pharmacological VTE prophylaxis lacks and guidelines are not standardized for hospitalized ill medical patients. Much recently randomized clinical trials in patients with stroke and other medical diseases, seem to increase doubts and reduce certainties in this context. In this review we provide information about non pharmacological thromboprophylaxis in acutely hospitalized ill medical patients.
Keywords: Venous thromboembolism, prophylaxis, graduated compression stockings, intermittent pneumatic compression, comorbidity, internal medicine, early mobilization, vena cava filters