Efficacy and Safety of Chemical Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Spine Trauma Patients

Abstract

Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Objective: To determine whether venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis is necessary after spine trauma and to assess the efficacy and safety profiles of anticoagulation agents. Summary of Background Data: Venous stasis, endothelial disruption, hypercoagulability, and orthopedic injury in spine trauma predispose 12%–64% of patients to deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Recent guidelines provide insufficient evidence to support or oppose routine VTE prophylaxis in this population. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science Core Collection, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to March 2023. Controlled vocabulary, key terms, and synonyms related to spinal trauma and anticoagulation were used. Studies comparing different classes of anticoagulants or anticoagulation versus no anticoagulation were included. Four reviewers independently performed abstract screening, full-text review, and data extraction, resolving conflicts by consensus. The primary outcomes were deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), major bleeding, and mortality. Results: Our search yielded 2948 articles, with 103 advancing to full-text review and 16 meeting inclusion criteria. Bias assessment using MINORS for 10 retrospective studies resulted in an average score of 16.8 ± 1.6, whereas 6 prospective studies had NOS scores >6, indicating high-quality evidence. Anticoagulation was significantly associated with lower odds of DVT (OR: 0.40; P=0.0013), with low heterogeneity (I² = 2%). Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) was associated with significantly lower odds of DVT (OR: 0.78; P=0.0050) and PE (OR: 0.66; P=0.0013) compared with unfractionated heparin (UH). No significant difference in major bleeding was found (OR: 0.52; P=0.1397). LMWH was linked to reduced mortality (OR: 0.43; P<0.0001). Conclusion: Chemical anticoagulants reduce DVT risk in spine trauma patients. LMWH provides superior protection against DVT, pulmonary embolism, and mortality compared with UH, with no significant increase in major bleeding.