Posttraumatic Thromboprophylaxis Revisited: An Argument Against the Current Methods of DVT and PE Prophylaxis after Injury

Thromboprophylaxis after injury is a controversial issue. Practices and outcomes vary widely. Review of selected trauma literature on venous thromboprophylaxis after injury. Multiple trauma articles suggest that the efficacy of different methods of thromboprophylaxis is unproven. Most of the practices on this issue are extrapolated from studies which were performed in non-trauma patients and therefore, may not be applicable in the unique trauma population. In the absence of undisputable evidence, none of the current methods of venous thromboprophylaxis after injury should be considered as standard of care. There is a need to discover new methods of thromboprophylaxis for the Trauma patient.