Highlights
- •Long-term readmission data for venous thromboembolism (VTE) after spinal fractures is limited.
- •There is a shift towards non-operative management for stable spinal fractures without evidence of neurologic deficits or SCI.
- •VTE risk and associated mortality remains high for 6-months after non-operatively managed traumatic spinal fracture.
- •Further studies regarding optimal duration and choice of thromboprophylactic agents are warranted.
Abstract
Introduction
Long-term readmission data for venous thromboembolism (VTE) after spinal fractures
is limited. We aimed to evaluate the 1-month and 6-month VTE readmission rates in
non-operatively managed traumatic spinal fractures.
Methods
Analysis of the 2017 NRD. Adults (≥18 years) with a primary diagnosis of spinal fracture
who were managed non-operatively were included. Patients that died on index admission,
were on pre-injury anticoagulants, and those with spinal cord injuries were excluded.
Outcomes were rates of DVT, PE, and VTE during index admission, and at 1-month and
6-months after discharge. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify
independent predictors of 6-month readmission with VTE.
Results
41,337 patients were identified. Mean age was 61 ± 22 years, and the median ISS was
17[9–22]. Vertebral fractures were: 11% sacrococcygeal; 29% lumbar; 19% thoracic;
20% cervical; and 21% multiple levels. During the index admission, 392(0.9%) patients
developed DVT, 281(0.7%) developed PE, and 601(1.5%) VTE. Within 1-month of discharge,
177(0.4%) patients were readmitted with DVT, 142(0.3%) with PE, and 268(0.6%) with
VTE. Within 6-months of discharge, 352(0.9%) patients were readmitted with DVT, 250(0.6%)
with PE, and 513(1.2%) with VTE. Among those who were readmitted within 6-months with
VTE, mortality was 6.7%. On multivariate analysis, older age(OR = 1.01,p < 0.01), higher ISS(OR = 1.03,p < 0.001), thoracic level of spinal fracture(OR = 1.37,p = 0.04), and discharge to skilled nursing facility, rehabilitation center, or care
facility(OR = 1.73,p < 0.001) were independently associated with 6-month readmission due to VTE.
Conclusions
VTE risk and associated mortality remains high for 6-months after non-operatively
managed traumatic spinal fracture. Further studies regarding optimal duration and
choice of thromboprophylactic agents are warranted.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 01, 2022
Accepted:
November 25,
2022
Received in revised form:
November 21,
2022
Received:
October 8,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Journal Pre-ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
