Stratification of venous thromboembolism risk in burn patients by Caprini score

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) consists of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), and it is the number one preventable complication of death among patients during their hospital stay [1 –3]. VTE is often caused by venous stasis, hypercoagulability, and endothelial injury, or the triad of Virchow [4]. Owing to burn victims’ immobility, repeated operations, and recurrent use of indwelling venous catheters, they have a high risk of VTE complications. The lowest frequency of thromb oembolic complications has been reported as 0.25% through routine administration of prophylactic heparin [5]; however, the argument against routine use of chemical prophylaxis is that it can cause bleeding and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT).
Source: Burns : Journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries - Category: Cosmetic Surgery Authors: Source Type: research