By Kelly Young
Edited by Susan Sadoughi, MD, and André Sofair, MD, MPH
In patients with prior venous thromboembolism (VTE), surgery is associated with increased risk for recurrence for up to 6 months, according to a study in JAMA Network Open.
Dutch researchers identified 3700 patients aged 70 and under with VTE who were followed for a median of 6 years. Nearly 16% of patients had undergone at least one surgery.
Surgery patients had a higher cumulative risk for VTE recurrence at 3 months, compared with those who hadn’t had surgery (3.3% vs. 0.8%). The risk was still significant at 6 months post-surgery.
Factor V Leiden mutation and male sex were associated with increased risk for VTE recurrence. Cancer-related surgery, as well as orthopedic, gastrointestinal, and heart-lung procedures had the highest recurrence risks.
Guidelines recommended thromboprophylaxis in these patients unless contraindicated. The authors conclude: “Our results stress the need for a revision of the thromboprophylactic approach following surgery in patients with a history of VTE, the duration and dosage of which may need to be intensified and individualized.”