Geriatrics Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Geriatrics, including details on old age, psychiatry, depression, medicine.

Prevention of venous thromboembolism in the geriatric patient.

Brotman DJ, Jaffer AK

Hospitalist Program, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Park 307, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.

Elderly patients immobilized because of an acute medical illness or surgery have a very high risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE). Aggressive pharmacologic prophylaxis is necessary and should be initiated either at admission for a medical condition or shortly after surgery. Aggressive prophylaxis may result in fewer patients developing VTE in the hospital and ultimately lead to fewer patients requiring full-dose anticoagulation for VTE. Mechanical prophylaxis can be used as an adjunct to an anticoagulant-based regimen but should only be used as primary prophylaxis when there is a contraindication, such as active bleeding. It is recommended that the clinician carefully evaluate the elderly patient's creatinine clearance and weight before prescribing anticoagulants, particularly when using fixed dosing regimens.

Published 14 April 2008 in Cardiol Clin, 26(2): 221-34.
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