Table 1.

Risk stratification, recommended thromboprophylaxis and optimal duration of prophylaxis by patient group.

Patient groupsRecommended thromboprophylaxis options*Optimal duration of prophylaxis
*The recommended options may differ somewhat for specific patient groups based on available evidence. See the 8th ACCP Guidelines on the Prevention of VTE.1  
GCS indicates graduated compression stocking; PCD, pneumatic compression device, VFP, venous foot pump. 
Low VTE Risk: 
  • ▪ Medical – fully mobile, brief admission, no additional risk factors

  • ▪ Surgical – procedure < 30 minutes, patient mobile, no additional risk factors

 
  • ▪ No prophylaxis

  • ▪ Early and frequent ambulation

 
Not applicable. 
Moderate VTE Risk: 
  • ▪ Acute medical illness

  • ▪ Major general surgery

  • ▪ Major gynecologic surgery

  • ▪ Major urologic surgery

  • ▪ Thoracic surgery

  • ▪ Bariatric surgery

 
  • ▪ Low-molecular-weight heparin

  • ▪ Low-dose heparin

  • ▪ Fondaparinux

  • ▪ Combinations of a mechanical method and an anticoagulant

 
Continue until discharge for the majority of patients. Selected patients may benefit from post-discharge prophylaxis. 
High VTE Risk: 
  • ▪ Hip or knee arthroplasty

  • ▪ Hip fracture surgery

 
  • ▪ Low-molecular-weight heparin

  • ▪ Fondaparinux

  • ▪ Rivaroxaban or dabigatran

  • ▪ Warfarin (target INR 2–3)

 
Minimum of 10 days and up to 35 days. 
High VTE Risk: 
  • ▪ Major trauma, (including spinal cord injury)

 
  • ▪ Low-molecular-weight heparin

  • ▪ Combinations of a mechanical method and an anticoagulant

 
Continue until discharge for the majority of patients. Prophylaxis should be continued for the inpatient rehabilitation period. 
High bleeding risk 
 
  • ▪ Mechanical method of prophylaxis (GCS, PCD, VFP)

  • ▪ Consider anticoagulant prophylaxis when bleeding risk decreases

 
Duration appropriate for the specific patient risk group. 
Patient groupsRecommended thromboprophylaxis options*Optimal duration of prophylaxis
*The recommended options may differ somewhat for specific patient groups based on available evidence. See the 8th ACCP Guidelines on the Prevention of VTE.1  
GCS indicates graduated compression stocking; PCD, pneumatic compression device, VFP, venous foot pump. 
Low VTE Risk: 
  • ▪ Medical – fully mobile, brief admission, no additional risk factors

  • ▪ Surgical – procedure < 30 minutes, patient mobile, no additional risk factors

 
  • ▪ No prophylaxis

  • ▪ Early and frequent ambulation

 
Not applicable. 
Moderate VTE Risk: 
  • ▪ Acute medical illness

  • ▪ Major general surgery

  • ▪ Major gynecologic surgery

  • ▪ Major urologic surgery

  • ▪ Thoracic surgery

  • ▪ Bariatric surgery

 
  • ▪ Low-molecular-weight heparin

  • ▪ Low-dose heparin

  • ▪ Fondaparinux

  • ▪ Combinations of a mechanical method and an anticoagulant

 
Continue until discharge for the majority of patients. Selected patients may benefit from post-discharge prophylaxis. 
High VTE Risk: 
  • ▪ Hip or knee arthroplasty

  • ▪ Hip fracture surgery

 
  • ▪ Low-molecular-weight heparin

  • ▪ Fondaparinux

  • ▪ Rivaroxaban or dabigatran

  • ▪ Warfarin (target INR 2–3)

 
Minimum of 10 days and up to 35 days. 
High VTE Risk: 
  • ▪ Major trauma, (including spinal cord injury)

 
  • ▪ Low-molecular-weight heparin

  • ▪ Combinations of a mechanical method and an anticoagulant

 
Continue until discharge for the majority of patients. Prophylaxis should be continued for the inpatient rehabilitation period. 
High bleeding risk 
 
  • ▪ Mechanical method of prophylaxis (GCS, PCD, VFP)

  • ▪ Consider anticoagulant prophylaxis when bleeding risk decreases

 
Duration appropriate for the specific patient risk group. 
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