Prevention of deep leg vein thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis remains a feared complication of injury, surgery and serious acute medical illness. Prevention is required whenever significant risk factors for thrombosis exist. Graded pressure elastic stockings and other physical methods for preventing venous stasis are suitable for patients who are at low to medium risk. Patients at high risk require standard heparin or a low molecular weight heparin. Either form of heparin will do for general surgery, but low molecular weight heparins are better in major joint replacement.