[Outpatient management of patients with deep vein thrombosis and cancer: a study of safety, cost and budget impact]

Abstract

Background and objective: This is a safety and cost comparison study with an analysis of budgetary impact of ambulatory management of patients with cancer and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) compared with hospital management.

Material and methods: Prospective observational study of patients with known malignancy and diagnosed with DVT from 2003 to 2007. The outcome variables were mortality, relapse and bleeding in one month. We conducted an economic analysis to evaluate the comparative cost of ambulatory patients.

Results: Three hundred and seventeen patients, 55 (17%) had cancer. The mean age of patients was 63 ± 11 years. There were 2 hemorrhagic events, 2 recurrences and 6 deaths in one month of follow-up. Of all patients, only 7 (13,7%) required hospitalization. All but one deaths were due to progression of the underlying disease. Economic analysis concluded that outpatient management is 6 times less expensive than hospital management, which would imply a cost reduction of 85%.

Conclusions: Specialized outpatient treatment of cancer patients with DVT is safe and could save significant financial resources.