Objetivo Comparar la evolución de los pacientes mayores de 60 años con trombosis venosa profunda (TVP), tratados con heparinas de bajo peso molecular (HBPM) en una unidad de hospitalización a domicilio con los que reciben tratamiento hospitalario.
Método Estudio observacional retrospectivo con grupo control, de pacientes mayores de 60 años, con TVP proximal o distal, diagnosticada en el servicio de urgencias mediante flebografía o eco-Doppler. El grupo estudio estaba constituido por aquellos pacientes tratados en el servicio de hospitalización a domicilio y el grupo control por los que realizaron tratamiento hospitalario. Ambos grupos recibieron HBPM durante unos 5 días y posteriormente dicumarínicos durante 6 meses. Recogimos sus características basales, factores de riesgo de TVP, tratamiento y complicaciones. Tras el alta, realizamos una entrevista telefónica a los 3 y 6 meses. Comparamos la incidencia de reingresos, retrombosis, tromboembolismo pulmonar y sangrado.
Resultados Se incluyeron 96 pacientes, 70 tratados en domicilio (grupo de estudio) y 26 en hospital (grupo control). La edad media fue 74 ± 7 años en el grupo de estudio y de 79 ± 9 años en el grupo control. El factor de riesgo más frecuente fue la TVP previa (29 y 15% en los grupos de estudio y control, respectivamente) seguido de neoplasia (19 y 27%, respectivamente). La TVP fue sobre todo proximal (81 y 75% en los grupos de estudio y control). El método de diagnóstico más utilizado fue flebografía isotópica en el grupo de estudio (61%) y eco-Doppler en el grupo control (61%). En este último grupo, 2 pacientes (10%) presentaron recurrencia de la TVP y hubo un caso de tromboembolismo pulmonar (5%). Se produjo un episodio de sangrado mayor en el grupo de estudio (1,6%) y dos en el grupo control (10%). Dos pacientes (3,2%) del grupo de estudio y en 2 (10%) del grupo control fueron reingresados. El tratamiento domiciliario redujo el número de días de tratamiento de 16,6 en el grupo control a 9,6 en el grupo de estudio, es decir, un 58%.
Conclusión El tratamiento domiciliario de la TVP con heparinas de bajo peso molecular en pacientes mayores de 60 años es una alternativa eficaz y segura, evitando el ingreso en hospitalización convencional
Background In patients with deep venous thrombosis, treatment with low-molecular-weight heparin at home is an alternative therapy. We compared the efficacy and safety of hospital treatment of venous thrombosis in the elderly with out-patient treatment.
Method An observational retrospective study with control group of patients over 60 years with distal or proximal deep venous thrombosis was carried out. Venous thrombosis was diagnosed in the Emergency Department by conventional isotopic phlebography or echo-Doppler. The study group included home-treated patients with low molecular weight heparins (LMWH). Medical care and follow-up was performed by the Home Care Unit. The control group was composed of patients in whom home treatment was impossible due to organizational limitations of the Home Care Unit. Both groups were treated with LMWH for at least five days and with one or two doses per day. After this, cumarin therapy was maintained for six months. All clinical data concerning baseline characteristics, risk factors for deep venous thrombosis, treatment modality and complications were recorded. Follow-up was maintained by telephone call every three and six months after discharge. New hospital admission rates, new thrombotic episodes, pulmonary thromboembolism and major bleeding episodes were compared.
Results A total of 96 patients, 70 home treated (Study Group, SG), and 26 treated in hospital (Control Group, CG) were included in this study. Mean age was 74 ± 4 years in the SG and 79 ± 9 in the CG. Previous deep venous thrombosis (29% in SG and 15% in CG) and neoplasm (19 and 27% respectively) were the most frequent risk factors. Deep venous thrombosis was proximal in most cases (81% in SG and 75% in CG). The main additional tests used for diagnosis were isotopic phlebography in SG (61% of cases) and echo-Doppler in CG (61%). In the CG, two patients (10%) developed new deep vein thrombosis and one patient developed pulmonary thromboembolism (5%). One patient (1.6%) developed a major bleeding episode in the SG and two patients (10%) in the CG. Two patients (3.2%) were newly admitted to hospital in the SG and 2 patients (10%) in the CG. Home care of deep venous thrombosis made it possible to reduce the number of treatment days from 16.6 in the CG to 9.6 in the SG.
Conclusion Home treatment of deep venous thrombosis with low molecular weight heparin in patients over sixty years is a safe and efficient alternative therapy, avoiding conventional hospital care.