Prophylaxis for and Treatment of Deep Venous Thrombosis After Stroke: The Post-Stroke Rehabilitation Outcomes Project (PSROP)

Abstract

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a common and preventable complication after a stroke. Although the treatment of DVT is simple and straightforward, its prevention remains controversial. The Post-Stroke Rehabilitation Outcomes Project (PSROP) database was used to describe the incidence and temporal sequence of DVT and trends in the prevention and treatment of DVT. Of the 1,161 patients in the PSROP database, 383 (32.99%) patients without DVT and 8 (0.69%) with DVT had no documented orders for anticoagulant medications. Sixty-five (5.60%) patients had DVTs during the inpatient rehabilitation facility stay. Of 10 (0.86%) patients with DVTs in the common femoral vein, 4 (40%) were diagnosed within 24 hours of admission. Nine (90%) of these 10 patients were classified as moderate or severe strokes. All patients with common femoral DVT received appropriate therapy. Although much is known about the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of poststroke DVT, clinicians need to learn and apply treatment protocols to prevent DVTs and allow more quality time for rehabilitation.

Keywords:

• cerebrovascular disorders
• cerebrovascular accident
• rehabilitation
• venous thrombosis