What is the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after cardiovascular surgery in Japan? This study investigates the prevalence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) in consecutive patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. Given the limited data on postoperative VTE in this population, the research aims to provide valuable insights for risk assessment and prevention strategies. The study involved 225 patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery, excluding those with pre-existing DVT. Patients underwent lower extremity venous ultrasound preoperatively and postoperatively. The analysis revealed that DVT developed in 16 of the 218 study patients. No patient had PTE, but the researchers found total blood transfusion was significantly higher in the DVT group, with blood transfusion emerging as a predictor of DVT. These findings suggest that the incidence of postoperatively developed DVT is 7.3% in this study population. The research highlights the importance of minimizing blood transfusions during cardiovascular surgery and implementing effective thromboprophylaxis strategies to reduce the risk of VTE.
Published in the Asian Cardiovascular and Thoracic Annals, this study directly addresses a relevant topic for the journal's readership: postoperative complications in cardiovascular surgery. By investigating the incidence of VTE, the research contributes to a better understanding of risks and informs strategies for improving patient outcomes in this specialized surgical field.