Possibilities of prevention and treatment of deep vein thrombosis in the lower limbs after arrhythmia-related catheter interventions

Aim. To evaluate the methods used for therapeutic compression of complications and the use of anticoagulants during arrhythmia catheter interventions and in the early postoperative period at stages of thrombotic disease development and treatment outcomes, as well as at stages of hemorrhagic complications.

Material and methods. The study was prospective. The study included 688 patients who underwent intracardiac electrophysiological studies, radiofrequency, or cryothermic catheter ablation. Patients used non-drug and drug-based thrombosis prevention methods in various treatment options. All patients underwent ultrasound examination of the access site before and within 24 hours after the procedures. The presence of hemorrhagic and thrombotic interventions, as well as the treatment methods for the latter lesions, were repeated after duplex intervention.

Results. Venous thrombosis was detected in 113 patients (16.4%), and serious hemorrhagic signs requiring additional treatment were detected in 18 (2.6%). Cautious use of therapeutic compressions and intraoperative heparin administration demonstrated efficacy in preventing the risk of thrombosis. The effect of postoperative enoxaparin sodium administration was dose-dependent. The use of anticoagulants did not affect the risk of hemorrhagic complications. Oral and parenteral anticoagulants significantly resulted in complete or partial thrombolysis in most patients.

Conclusion. Patients, according to arrhythmia catheter principles, may benefit from the active use of one or more DVT prophylaxis methods without an officially standardized risk of increased hemorrhagic complications.

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