Continuous intravenous heparin infusion prevents peri-operative thromboembolic events in bariatric surgery patients.

BACKGROUND

The pharmacokinetics of subcutaneous heparin administration in the obese patient are unpredictable. Peak levels are slowly reached and the effects are not rapidly reversible. Low-dose, continuous, intravenous heparin is easily reversed, is more efficacious and is cost-effective.

METHODS

From November 2000 until July 2005, 822 consecutive patients were administered continuous intravenous unfractionated heparin at 400 U/hr (9,600 U/day) starting in the preoperative holding area and maintained until discharge. All clinically significant events were documented.

RESULTS

634 laparoscopic gastric bypass, 10 revisions and 188 Lap-Band procedures were performed. The mean age was 43+/-11 years (15-74) and mean BMI was 45.2+/-7.1 (30-86). There was only one (0.12%) clinically evident thromboembolic event in the entire cohort (after a gastric bypass). Anti-Xa levels and prothrombin time were followed in a group of 40 patients and were found to be normal in all. Bleeding that required transfusion occurred in 1.3% of patients. In 41 patients (5%), heparin therapy was terminated or temporarily held due to need for extensive adhesiolysis or acute drop in hematocrit, with-or-without other evidence of postoperative bleeding. Average estimated blood loss during surgery was 36 cc (5-500 cc). One patient was inadvertently administered excessive doses of heparin due to a pump error without significant sequelae.

CONCLUSIONS

Continuous low-dose intravenous heparin therapy is associated with an extremely low incidence of thromboembolic events and a low risk for perioperative hemorrhage. Intravenous heparin also has the benefits of being inexpensive and rapidly reversible.