Using Intravenous Heparin Versus Standard of Care Subcutaneous Heparin to Prevent Clots After Surgery

Not Applicable

Completed

Brief Summary: This study plans to learn more about what is the best treatment to prevent blood clots in patients in intensive care units (ICU's). The investigators know that patients who are in ICU's have a higher than normal risk of getting blood clots in the veins of their arms or legs. This can be very dangerous as the clot may move into the lungs. To prevent this, the standard treatment is to give low dose heparin subcutaneously 3 times a day (usually 5000 units at each dose). In this study the investigators are randomizing patients to receive either standard of care or low dose intravenous heparin in a continuous infusion.

Detailed Description: Macro- and micro-thrombosis both contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality in the surgical intensive care unit. Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common and preventable cause of death in critically ill patients, with a mortality rate of up to 10%. Up to 95% of cases of PE originate from deep venous thrombosis (DVT). There are multiple pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic methods of DVT prophylaxis.The current standard of care in thromboprophylaxis in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) at the University of Colorado Hospital is low-dose subcutaneous heparin (SCH). However, there is little evidence that this is the optimal prophylactic treatment. In fact, a database search of ICD-9 diagnoses made in 2005 suggests that the incidence of DVT in SICU patients, the majority who receive subcutaneous heparin, is approximately 7%. Surgical ICU patients are at high risk of developing DVT during their hospital stay and likely need more aggressive anticoagulation. Intravenous heparin, given at a low dose and titrated to a measurable endpoint PTT (partial thromboplastin time), may offer several benefits over the current standard of care, subcutaneous heparin. This method of treatment would offer more aggressive anticoagulation and allow dosage to be adjusted frequently based on each patient's changing coagulation status.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

A signed informed consent;
Age between 18 and 80 years
The patient is admitted to the surgical intensive care unit at the University of Colorado Hospital

Exclusion Criteria

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
continuous low dose intravenous heparin infusion	low dose intravenous heparin (LDIVH)	titrated to a PTT of 40-45
subcutanous heparin 5000 units 3 times/day	Heparin	standard of care

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Development of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis)	from start of study intervention to 6 months	In the first 70 patients, screening for DVT by ultrasound will occur on study days 0 and 5. After day 5 and for all remaining subjects, DVT will be diagnosed according to standard of care by the attending physician. Incidences of new DVT will be recorded daily until the patient is discharged from the hospital, or for a maximum of 28 days. DVT diagnosis will also be collected at 6 months from the primary care physician's office or the patient's household.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Development of PE's; Sepsis	up to 28 days post study intervention start	Secondary endpoints to be monitored for a maximum of 28 days, include: (1) total number of patients not developing PE; (2) total number of patients not developing sepsis; and (3) total number of patients not developing catheter-associated sepsis.