ACP's new inpatient VTE prophylaxis guidelines: Radical or right-on?

Dec 2, 2011 10:30 EST

Following an extensive analysis of the literature, the American College of Physicians has concluded that the administration of prophylaxis to prevent DVT and pulmonary embolism has not resulted in a decrease in mortality. Based on these surprising (and disappointing) results, the ACP's new guidelines judge that pharmacological VTE prophylaxis is appropriate only in moderate and high risk patients and that it should not be administered by default to all.

What are your thoughts? Are these new guidelines radical or right-on?

See also:

Lederle FA, Zylla D, MacDonald R et al. Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in hospitalized medical patients and those with stroke: A background review for an American College of Physicians Clinical Practice Guideline. Ann Intern Med 2011.155:602-615. Available here.

Qaseem A, Chou R, Humphrey LL et al. Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in hospitalized patients: A clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med 2011: 625-632. Available here. 

Baker DW, Qaseem A. Evidence-based performance measures: Preventing unintended consequences of quality measurement. Ann Intern Med 2011 155:638-640. Available here.