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Semin Thromb Hemost 2002; 28(s3): 047-050
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-34076
Copyright © 2002 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Managing Venous Thromboembolism in Latin American Patients: Emerging Results from the Brazilian Registry

Jackson S. Caiafa1 , Marcos de Bastos2 , L. K. Moura3 , S. Raymundo4
  • 1Hospital Naval Marcílio Dias, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • 2Hospital Geral da Instituto de Previdência, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
  • 3Departamento de Cirurgia Vascular, Hospital São Rafael, Salvador, Brazil
  • 4Departamento de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular, Hospital Austa, S.J. Rio Preto, Brazil
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Publication History

Publication Date:
16 September 2002 (online)

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ABSTRACT

A Brazilian National Registry was established in 1999 to investigate the incidence of risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in hospitalized medical and surgical patients and to investigate the use of thromboprophylaxis in these populations. A 4-year pilot study confirmed the feasibility and value of a registry project in this region, showing a dramatic increase in the use of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) over the study period, associated with a sixfold reduction in the incidence of symptomatic VTE. Data on more than 27,000 patients from the Brazilian Registry have revealed that almost 25% of high-risk patients and 45% of those at moderate risk currently receive no thromboprophylaxis. Among the high-risk patients-in whom general measures alone are not considered appropriate prophylaxis-42% of patients did not receive pharmacological prophylaxis with either LMWH or unfractionated heparin. The Brazilian Registry highlights the need to raise awareness of VTE risk factors and recommended prophylactic regimens in Latin America.

KEYWORDS

Low-molecular-weight heparin - risk evaluation - surgical patients - thromboprophylaxis - venous thromboembolism

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