Perioperative Pharmacological Thromboprophylaxis in Patients With Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Guo, Qiang MD; Huang, Bin MD; Zhao, Jichun MD; Ma, Yukui MD; Yuan, Ding MD; Yang, Yi MD; Du, Xiaojiong MD

Annals of Surgery: June 2017 - Volume 265 - Issue 6 - p 1087–1093

doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000002074

Meta-Analyses

Methods: We searched multiple electronic databases (up to March 31, 2016) for trials of cancer patients undergoing surgery that assessed the relative benefits and harms of perioperative pharmacological thromboprophylaxis. Relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated.

Conclusions: Routine pharmacological thromboprophylaxis for cancer patients undergoing surgery needs to be carefully considered, because although thromboprophylaxis is associated with lower VTE events, there is a higher incidence of clinically significant bleeding events. If pharmacological thromboprophylaxis is to be used, extended thromboprophylaxis started preoperatively with LWMH might be the most effective strategy.

http://journals.lww.com/annalsofsurgery/Abstract/2017/06000/Perioperative_Pharmacological_Thromboprophylaxis.11.aspx