Abstract
Clinical trials have confirmed the efficacy of deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis in internal medicine, surgery, oncology and neurology departments. It significantly reduces an incidence of thrombotic complications including mortality from pulmonary embolism.
It has been confirmed that there is an increase in frequency and risk of thrombosis with age, especially in combination with certain risk factors like reduction in mobility, history of DVT, acute heart failure, chronic edemas and paralysis of lower limbs. Stratification of significant and independent risk factors in elderly should support the use of prophylactic doses of low molecular weight or, alternatively, unfractionated heparin.
It appears to be the most effective way of venous thrombembolism prophylaxis in those patients both in hospital and ambulatory clinical practice.