Extended Low-Molecular Weight Heparin VTE Prophylaxis in Thoracic Surgery

There is currently very limited information available on the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients undergoing lung cancer resection and the utility of extended thromboprophylaxis (ET) in this patient population. Furthermore, in contrast to patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery where ET has become standard of care, duration of thromboprophylaxis is not well defined in this patient population. Therefore, there is a clear need to systematically evaluate the effects of extended VTE prophylaxis on the incidence of VTE in the post-op population.

As a pilot study, the primary outcome will involve feasibility measures. The investigators aim to measure the proportion of recruitment within each centre, compliance, loss to follow-up, and tolerability of the intervention, defined as the number and severity of per-defined adverse events. The primary outcome of interest for the future full-scale trial is the 30-day incidence rate of VTE following extended 30-day prophylaxis (defined as pulmonary emboli or deep venous thromboembolism of the lower limb as detected by CT (Computed Tomography) pulmonary angiography and full leg Doppler ultrasound, respectively) following lung resection for malignancies.

The proposed pilot project is a multicenter blinded placebo-controlled randomized controlled pilot clinical trial assessing the feasibility and effectiveness of extended-duration VTE prophylaxis (30 days post-operatively) vs. short-term prophylaxis restricted to in-hospital stay with outpatient injected placebo, in patients undergoing lung resection for lung cancer or metastatic disease. All patients will receive both a peri-operative dose followed by postoperative VTE prophylaxis for the duration of their hospital stay. Those who were randomized to prolonged prophylaxis will continue the same dosage regime for an overall of 30 days, whereas the control group will receive placebo injections for the same duration of time.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients must be at least 18 years of age.
• Patient may be of either gender.
• Patients must be diagnosed with resectable lung cancer or metastatic lung disease eligible to complete metastasectomy.
• Patients must be undergoing one of the following surgeries: segmentectomy, wedge resection, lobectomy, bilobectomy or pneumonectomy.
• Patients must be competent to understand consent documents.

Exclusion criteria

• All patients with known allergic or anaphylactic reaction to contrast dye, heparin or low molecular weight heparin (LMWH).
• Patients must not be under current anticoagulation for venous thromboembolism or other medical conditions.
• Patients must not have known renal impairment (defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate of less than 30ml/min/m2 as calculated by the Cockcroft-Gault method) either pre-operatively or as identified based on blood work obtained prior to the scheduled 30-day post-operative scan.
• Patients must not have known hepatic failure, with international normalized ratio (INR) of >1.5.
• Patients with history of, or ongoing liver disease, manifested as ascites or previous peritoneal tapping for ascites.
• Patients must not be pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
• Patients must not have been diagnosed or treated for VTE in the past 3 months prior to surgery.
• Patients must not have a known, objectively confirmed bleeding disorder.
• Patients must not have a present or previous increase risk of haemorrhage.
• Patients must not have a history of previous heparin induced thrombocytopenia.
• Baseline platelet count <75,000 but transient, recovered thrombocytopenia associated with chemotherapy will not be a basis for exclusion.
• Patients must not have previously inserted inferior vena cava filter.