Article

Prospective randomized single blind study. OBJECTIVES: To find out the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in Indian acute spinal cord injury
(ASCI) subjects with and without pharmacological prophylaxis. SETTING: Indian
Spinal Injuries Centre. METHODS: Seventy four ASCI subjects were randomly divided
into two groups with 37 subjects each: group I received no antithrombotic
prophylaxis, and only physical measures like compression stockings were employed
for prophylaxis, whereas group II received antithrombotic prophylaxis with
low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) along with physical measures as in group I.
DVT was monitored through daily clinical assessment and doppler venous
ultrasonography at 2 weeks. RESULTS: Out of 37 subjects in each group, eight
(21.6%) developed DVT in group I and two (5.4%) in group II. The difference was
significant (P-value=0.041). Six out of eight subjects who developed DVT in group
I were asymptomatic. There was no incidence of significant DVT-related
complications including pulmonary embolism in any of the subjects. CONCLUSIONS:
There is a significant incidence of DVT in Indian subjects with ASCI but
definitely less than what has been reported in western literature.
Pharmacological prophylaxis (LMWH in this study) significantly (P=0.041)
decreases the incidence of DVT in subjects with ASCI. As there was no difference
in the incidence of symptomatic DVT or related complications, a larger study
would be required to conclude definitely on the role of pharmacological
prophylaxis in the Indian population.

Langue : ANGLAIS