Failure to Use Prophylaxis Found in More than Half of Hospitalized Patients who Develop DVT

Ann K. Wittkowsky, Pharm.D., CACP
February, 2004

Review: Goldhaber S, Tapson V. A prospective registry of 5,451 patients with ultrasound-confirmed deep vein thrombosis. The American Journal of Cardiology 2004;93:259-262.

The DVT FREE Registry enrolled 5,451 patients with DVT to evaluate current management of DVT and the use of prophylaxis. Among the significant findings of this study was the observation that among hospitalized patients who had developed DVT, only 42% had received prior prophylaxis despite multiple risk factors, particularly in non-surgical patients.