Trauma-induced pulmonary thromboembolism: What's update?

Chin J Traumatol. 2022 Mar;25(2):67-76. doi: 10.1016/j.cjtee.2021.08.003. Epub 2021 Aug 5.

Abstract

Trauma-induced pulmonary thromboembolism is the second leading cause of death in severe trauma patients. Primary fibrinolytic hyperactivity combined with hemorrhage and consequential hypercoagulability in severe trauma patients create a huge challenge for clinicians. It is crucial to ensure a safe anticoagulant therapy for trauma patients, but a series of clinical issues need to be answered first, for example, what are the risk factors for traumatic venous thromboembolism? How to assess and determine the status of coagulation dysfunction of patients? When is the optimal timing to initiate pharmacologic prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism? What types of prophylactic agents should be used? How to manage the anticoagulation-related hemorrhage and to determine the optimal timing of restarting chemoprophylaxis? The present review attempts to answer the above questions.

Keywords: Deep venous thrombosis; Etiology; Prevention; Pulmonary thromboembolism; Treatment; Venous thromboembolism; Wounds and injuries.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anticoagulants / adverse effects
  • Hemorrhage
  • Humans
  • Pulmonary Embolism* / drug therapy
  • Pulmonary Embolism* / etiology
  • Pulmonary Embolism* / prevention & control
  • Risk Factors
  • Venous Thromboembolism* / drug therapy
  • Venous Thromboembolism* / etiology
  • Venous Thromboembolism* / prevention & control

Substances

  • Anticoagulants