Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a condition that involves the formation of clots in the deep veins, particularly in the veins of the lower limb. This causes obstruction to blood flow resulting in symptoms like pain, swelling and discoloration. The most common complication of venous thrombosis is the migration of these clots into other blood vessels, called embolism, particularly pulmonary embolism [1]. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common and potentially life-threatening complication that occurs in 4% to 15% of patients admitted to intensive care units despite the routine use of pharmacological prophylaxis [2].

Risk factors analysed according to Department of Health VTE risk assessment tool. (R7)are active cancer or cancer treatment, age>60, dehydration, known thrombophilias, obesity(BMI>30kg), on or more significant medical comorbidities (eg heart disease, metabolic, endocrine or respiratory pathologies), family history with DVT, use of hormone replacement therapy, contraceptive therapy, varicose veins with phlebitis, pregnancy or <6 weeks post partum, significantly reduced mobility for 3 days or more, hip or knee replacement, hip fracture, total anaesthesic + surgical time> 90 minutes, surgery involving pelvis or lower limb with a total anaesthetic + surgical time> 60 minutes, critical care admission, surgery with reduced in mobility. Patients with ≤2 risk factors but ≥1 risk factor were deemed to have a moderate level of risk for DVT, those with 3 risk factors deemed to have a high level, and those with ≥4 factors deemed to have a very high level [3].

The impact of thromboprophylaxis can be ascertained from the fact that it reduces the rate of thromboembolism in both medical and surgical patients. Thromboprophylaxis is given to prevent the occurrence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which includes pharmacologic therapy like unfractionated heparin (UFH), low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), fondaparinux or mechanical therapy like pneumatic and graduated compression stockings is given to the patients with bleeding risk like active bleeding, acquired bleeding, concurrent use of anticoagulants, acute stroke, thrombocytopenia etc [1].

Patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) are rated as high-risk patients. So, pharmacological and mechanical thromboprophylaxis in ICU patients reduce incidence of thrombosis to some extent than the patients not administered.

Hence this study was carried to assess adherence deep vein thrombosis in intensive care unit patients with thrombotic risk.

This was hospital based cross sectional study conducted in Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Thandalam.

Cross sectional observational study done on 75 patients admitted in intensive care unit. Duration of study was for 3 months from January 3^rd to March 31^st. Using simple random sampling technique data was collected from the patients and the data collection was done with the help of DVT prophylaxis assessment tool. The collected data was documented and recorded.

The collected data was entered in MS excel and analysed using spss. The result of the study is tabulated and compared with other studies and expressed in terms of numbers and percentages.

This Study is done on 75 patients in intensive care unit for deep vein thrombosis risk and assessment of DVT prophylaxis given to them.

Thrombotic risk among intensive care patients was 100% among which 9.3% had bleeding risk. This study comprises of 78.6% medical patient and 21.3% surgical patient. 63% patients were given DVT prophylaxis and 37% not given. Recommended pharmacological prophylaxis was 90.6% but only 52% were given pharmacological prophylaxis and 9.3% mechanical prophylaxis were recommended but 8 % have been given.

Table 1

Figure 1

Among pharmacological prophylaxis inj. heparin was given more (37%), unfractionated heparin (UFH) at 8% and inj. Clexane at 6.6%. In mechanical prophylaxis mostly grip bandage were used more than compression stockings. (Figure 2)

Figure 2