Introduction: Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a common complication in acute stroke. Evidence-based guidelines recommend the use of prophylactic heparins in patients with risk of DVT. We aimed to evaluate the clinical practices for DVT prophylaxis in acute stroke inpatients enrolled in a multicenter observational longitudinal study on deep venous thrombosis (Incidence of Deep Venous Thrombosis after Acute Stroke in China, INVENT-China).
Materials and methods: Patients' characteristics and DVT prophylaxis was extracted from the database of INVENT-China. Appropriate adherence to the guidelines was analysed.
Results: Six hundred and fifty-six patients with acute stroke were eligible for analysis in this study. Pharmacologic prophylaxis with low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWH) was applied to 18 patients with ischemic stroke (3.4%) and one patient with cerebral hemorrhage. Independent factors associated with use of prophylactic anticoagulant treatment were stroke subtype (OR=0.07, 95% CI=0.01-0.78, p=0.03), baseline NIHSS score (OR=0.25, 95% CI=0.07-0.95, p=0.04), baseline motor leg function (NIHSS score) (score=1, OR=0.16, 95% CI=0.03-0.79, p=0.025; score=2, OR=0.20, 95% CI=0.05-0.84, p=0.028; score=3, OR=0.23, 95% CI=0.06-0.91, p=0.037; score=4, reference), diabetes mellitus (OR=3.86, 95% CI=1.39-10.72, p=0.009), malignancy (OR=9.55, 95% CI=1.98-46.2, p=0.005), varicose veins (OR=12.48, 95% CI=1.64-94.9, p=0.015) and central venous catheterization (OR=6.96, 95% CI=1.36-35.79, p=0.02).
Conclusion: Thromboprophylaxis is inadequate in acute stroke inpatients in China. Guidelines for prevention DVT in acute stroke should be established and efforts should be made to improve venous thromboembolism prophylaxis practice.