Abstract
This paper concerns a study of the morbidity and mortality of venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in 431 cases of acute spinal cord injury.
The incidence is related to age, sex, year of injury, level and type of lesion, type of onset and site of thrombosis, associated injuries and major operations.
The commonest time of occurrence was about three weeks after the initial trauma.
Dorsal lesions had the highest rate of venous thrombosis and its occurrence was higher in complete lesions than in incomplete lesions.
The mortality rates were similar at all levels of spinal cord injury. Variations and anomalies are briefly discussed.
The disability arising from venous thrombosis has been much reduced by the use of anticoagulant therapy. The prophylactic use of anticoagulants is not recommended.
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Watson, N. Venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in spinal cord injury. Spinal Cord 6, 113–121 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.1968.21
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.1968.21