However, some reports are worth considering, including those of Norwood et al.16,17 Altogether 177 patients were included in this study of whom 150 received enoxaparin at 24 hours after admission for intracerebral hemorrhage or after craniotomy for the injury. CT screening was performed at various intervals including admission, 24 hours after hospitalization, and then after receiving the LMWH. After administration of chemoprophylaxis, 4% of patients developed further hemorrhage as evidenced on CT head scans. The study raised the question whether

hemorrhagic changes on CT scan are a consequence of the prophylaxis or a natural progression of the TBI. The analysis did not have Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical a control group.16,17 CONCLUSION Although trauma is a well-established etiology for thromboembolic events, only in the past decade have TBI patients been recognized with an increased risk for VTE. This is most likely due to lengthy hospital immobilization combined with delays in VTE drug regimen prophylaxis. Additionally, the native levels of TF already residing in the brain Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical increase during injury, along with circulating inflammatory cytokines which favor systemic hypercoagulation. Unfortunately, no significant randomized control trials exist with large patient populations, leaving clinicians with expert consensus and a series of retrospective or prospective studies. At

issue is the balance between hemorrhagic extension and VTE risk. These important studies yield information about the highest-risk individuals with inference toward practice parameters. Following these, clinical assessment might appear as follows: Establish degree of TBI severity and carry out a survey of additional Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical injuries, especially of the lower extremities. Start patient on mechanical compression prophylaxis within 24 hours of admission unless contraindicated. As mechanical intervention is insufficient alone, LMWH or unfractionated heparin should

be started, if no confounding coagulopathy. Timing of this step is variable and controversial. However, a comfortable balance point between extension of the bleed and VTE risk Isotretinoin appears to be 48–72 hours. Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical Again, this is inferred from leading studies and not level I evidence. This differs from the Brain Trauma Selleckchem NVP AEW541 Foundation which omits timing guidelines. Several studies utilized serial head CTs for bleeding progression both before and after anticoagulant administration. The choice of regimen, unfractionated heparin versus LMWH, appears only mildly significant in the brain trauma patient. A number of studies show a superiority of LMWH, but bleeding risks are still a concern < 24 hours of initiating therapy. Options within LMWH indicate no superiority between enoxaparin or dalteparin, though the q12 hour dosing of the former may prove of greater benefit than daily dosing of dalteparin. The predominance of institutions utilized ultrasound venous Doppler in addition to clinical acumen.