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Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism
Source:
International Consensus Statement (Guidelines According to Scientific Evidence). London, Med-Orion Publishing Company, 1997
Summary:
This review of published studies on DVT prophylaxis states that "PE continues to be a major cause of death in hospital patients in developed countries… In medium and high risk patients the cost of screening, diagnosis and treatment of thromboembolism are so high that the currently used recommended methods of prophylaxis are cost-effective (i.e. optimize the use of available resources)." Intermittent pneumatic compression devices provide safe and proven prophylaxis, either alone or in combination with pharmacological methods, for many different levels of risk in surgical, gynecological and obstetric, orthopedic surgery, and trauma patients.