Burn and DVT

Q: In patients with severe burn DVT prophylaxis should be on hold for the first 72 hours of the management? 

 A) True 
B) False 


Answer: B

several physiologic changes occur in coagulation cascade of severely burned patients. These patients may be more prone to have DVT. Prophylaxis should be instituted early particularly in patients with burns >20 percent of total body surface area (TBSA) unless there is a risk of bleeding from associated trauma. For reasons not completely understood the risk of DVT is high in Afro-American patients. Other high-risk patients are those who require blood transfusions. Although fluid shifts during the resuscitation period of early burn may affect the efficacy of subcutaneous (SQ) administration of chemical prophylaxis it should not be stopped. Even the use of sequential compression devices is not contra-indicated.

#burn
#trauma
#hematology


Reference:

Faucher LD, Conlon KM. Practice guidelines for deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis in burns. J Burn Care Res 2007; 28:661.