Prevalence of Venous Thromboembolism in Neurosurgical Patients

Abstract

         The venous thromboembolism (VTE) is unexpected event which made a poorly cardiopul–monary outcome. Neurosurgical patients have a risk for VTE because of motor weakness made them decrease ambulation and decrease vascularity. This retrospective descriptive study aimed to study the prevalence and risk factor of VTE event in neurosurgical patients, Sakon Nakhon hospital. The data were collected from neurosurgical patients admitted in neurosurgical ward from June 1st, 2017 to November 30th, 2018. Demographic data, neurosurgical disease and VTE were analyzed using mean, percentage, frequency, and standard deviation. The correlations between variables were performed using Chi–square test. The Independent t– test was applied to compare mean.

          The results showed that there were 180 cases, male patients was 66.1%, average age 55.6 ± 15.3 years. The prevalence of VTE was 3.3%. The risk factors significantly related to VTE were female (p = 0.009), diabetes mellitus (p < 0.001), hypertension (p = 0.031) and brain tumor (p = 0.017).

          The VTE is an important complication in neurosurgical patients. Therefore, neurosurgeons should be aware and monitor this event, especially in patient with brain tumor, female patient and patient with underlying disease such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

         Keywords: VTE, Neurosurgical patients, Brain tumor