Background: Patients undergoing oncologic resection are at risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE), and this can lead to increased morbidity and hospital costs. Low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is recommended as extended thromboprophylaxis (ETP) in high-risk patients and has been shown to reduce rates of VTE.
Methods: This is a retrospective review of consecutive patients undergoing resection for oncologic indications at a single institution from May 2016 to May 2019. This study evaluated the use of apixaban as ETP at discharge. The primary outcomes were deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), or mesenteric/portal venous thromboembolism at 30, 60, and 90 days postoperatively.
Results: A total of 600 patients were included; 449 patients received no ETP, and 151 patients received apixaban. PE occurred in 1.1, 1.6, and 2.3% of patients without ETP and 0, 0, and .7% of patients in the apixaban group (at 30, 60, and 90 days; P = .338, P = .201, and P = .306, respectively). DVT occurred in 1.8, 2.1, and 2.8% of patients without ETP and 0, 0, and 1.4% in the apixaban group (P = .211, P = .121, and P = .535, respectively). The total cost, including ETP and readmission for VTE, per patient was US $5.51 more in the apixaban group.
Conclusion: Apixaban therapy for ETP did not produce a statistically significant reduction in VTE events in our patients. Future studies should include more patients in a prospective multicenter trial.