Evaluation of Use and Outcomes of Heparins in Acute Deep Venous Thrombosis Treatment at Khartoum State Hospitals: A Descriptive Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) considered a common emergent condition with life-threatening complications that require rapid intervention with an effective antithrombotic drug regimen; for that, this study was conducted. The current study aimed to evaluate the use and outcomes of heparins in treating acute DVT at selected hospitals in Khartoum state. Methods: A descriptive retrospective, hospital-based study was conducted in different hospitals at Khartoum state from July 2016 to July 2017. The sample size was 147 participants. Data were collected using a well-designed data collection form and analyzed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Results: A total of 147 DVT patients were included, most of them (77.6%) were females, and 49.8% of them were old and aged more than 60 years. The patients with a past medical history of major surgery were represented 27.9%. Low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) were the most prescribed drugs (74.1%), of which enoxaparin at a dose of 6000 IU twice per day is the most frequently prescribed in 32% of the patients. LMWHs were shown to achieve their therapeutic goal of activated partial thromboplastin time earlier compared with unfractionated heparin (UFH). Enoxaparin 6000 IU twice daily was the most suitable regimen, since it achieved its therapeutic goal within 3 days and maintained it for up to 5 days. 86.1% of the patients were discharged to their homes, whereas 12.9% were dead, and the percentage of death increased with advanced age. Conclusions: Past medical history of major surgery and advanced age were the major risk factors of DVT. LMWHs are the most frequently used drugs and were more effective than UFH, and enoxaparin 6000 IU twice per day was the most suitable regimen as a fixed dose for adults.