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Effectiveness of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Devices for Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in High-risk Surgical and Medical Patients

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Effectiveness of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Devices for Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in High-risk Surgical and Medical Patients

Principal Investigators: Juliessa M. Pavon, MD; John W. Williams, Jr., MD, MHSc
Co-investigators: Soheir S. Adam, MD; Zayd A. Razouki, MD; Jennifer R. McDuffie, PhD; Paul F. Lachiewicz, MD; Andrzej S. Kosinski, PhD; Christopher A Beadles, MD; Thomas L. Ortel, MD, PhD
Research Associate: Avishek Nagi, MS

Evidence-based Synthesis Program (ESP) Center
Durham Veterans Affairs Healthcare System

Durham, NC; Department of Veterans Affairs; June 2015

Download PDF: Complete Report, Abstract, Report, Appendices

Objectives

This study was nominated by the Veterans Affairs (VA) National Surgery Office and Office of Nursing with the aim of evaluating IPCDs to inform best practice strategies, policy, and selection of devices for the VA Health System. The objective of this report is to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of IPCDs in post-operative surgical and high-risk medical patients of high interest to the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). There is a major gap in the existing literature on which specific populations will benefit from IPCD prophylaxis, and whether IPCDs vary importantly in VTE outcomes, adherence, and ease of use. This study addresses these gaps with a methodologically sophisticated systematic review.

Key questions:


Key Question 1: In hospitalized surgical patients at high risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE), what is the comparative effectiveness of VTE prophylaxis with intermittent pneumatic compression devices versus VTE prophylaxis with pharmacologic agents for VTE events, VTE-related mortality, and adverse events?

Key Question 2: In hospitalized medical patients at high risk for VTE, what is the comparative effectiveness of VTE prophylaxis with IPC devices versus VTE prophylaxis with pharmacological agents for VTE events, VTE-related mortality, and adverse events?

Key Question 3: In hospitalized surgical and medical patients at high risk for VTE, what is the comparative effectiveness of different IPC devices when compared to one another for preventing VTE events?

Key Question 4: When used for VTE prophylaxis, do different IPC devices differ in ease of use or adherence?


See also

Effectiveness of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Devices for Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis (Management eBrief)

Pavon J, Adam S, Razouki Z, McDuffie J, Lachiewicz P, Kosinski A, Beadles C, Ortel T et al. Effectiveness of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Devices for Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in High-Risk Surgical Patients: A Systematic Review. Journal of Arthroplasty. September 2015 (epublication ahead of print). (DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.arth.2015.09.043)


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