Guidelines

Venous thromboembolism: Prophylactic and therapeutic practice guideline

B F Jacobson, S Louw, H Büller, M Mer, P R de Jong, P Rowji, E Schapkaitz, D Adler, A Beeton, H-C Hsu, P Wessels, S Haas

Abstract


Background. Pharmacological prophylactic anticoagulation in many countries, including South Africa, is under-prescribed. This has resulted in unacceptable rates of morbidity and mortality.

Method. The Southern African Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis held a meeting to update the previous guideline and review new literature including guidelines from other societies. The following specialties were represented on the committees: anaesthetics, cardiology, clinical haematology, critical care, obstetrics and gynaecology, haematopathology, internal medicine, neurology, orthopaedic surgery and pulmonology. A draft document was presented at the meeting, which was then revised by consensus agreement. To avoid local bias, the guideline was adjudicated by recognised international external experts.

Results and conclusion. A concise, practical updated guideline for thromboprophylaxis and treatment in medical and surgical patients has been produced for South African conditions. It is hoped that this guideline will continue to improve anticoagulation practice in this country, which we believe will directly benefit patient outcomes.

Authors' affiliations

B F Jacobson, Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, University of the Witwatersrand and National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg

S Louw, Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, University of the Witwatersrand and National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg

H Büller, Department of Vascular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam

M Mer, Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonology and Critical Care, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

P R de Jong, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cape Town, and Chris Barnard Memorial Hospital, Cape Town

P Rowji, Neurology Association of South Africa

E Schapkaitz, Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, University of the Witwatersrand and National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg

D Adler, Faculty of Consulting Physicians

A Beeton, Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre, Johannesburg

H-C Hsu, Milpark Hospital, Johannesburg, and Executive Member, South African Renal Consortium

P Wessels, Consultant, Ampath Laboratories, and Consultant, Department of Medical Oncology, University of Pretoria

S Haas, Technical University of Munich

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Keywords

Venous Thromboembolism; Prophylaxis; Guideline

Cite this article

South African Medical Journal 2013;103(4):260-267. DOI:10.7196/SAMJ.6706

Article History

Date submitted: 2013-01-17
Date published: 2013-02-15

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