Healthcare, 2021 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9070861 · Published: July 8, 2021
This study investigates the natural progression of blood clots in the lower legs (below-knee deep vein thrombosis, BKDVT) in Asian patients with spinal cord injuries. Typically, serial imaging is recommended, but there's limited research on this specific group. The researchers reviewed data from patients with spinal cord injuries who developed BKDVT. They tracked whether the clots worsened (propagated), disappeared, or remained stable, with or without the use of anticoagulant medications. The findings suggest that in Asian patients with spinal cord injuries, BKDVT has a favorable natural history, with a low risk of worsening. The authors suggest serial imaging might be sufficient instead of immediate anticoagulation.
The findings suggest that Asian patients with spinal cord injury and BKDVT might not require immediate anticoagulant therapy and could be managed with serial imaging.
Current thromboprophylaxis guidelines, largely based on Western populations, may need to be re-evaluated for Asian patients with spinal cord injuries due to the lower incidence of VTE.
Clinicians should consider race and individual risk factors when determining the appropriate treatment for BKDVT in patients with spinal cord injury.