Researchers compared more than 2,000 patients given blood thinners before major cancer surgery with nearly 5,000 who did not receive blood thinners before major surgery.
Here are four things to know:
1. According to researchers from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, blood thinners, such as heparin, are commonly given to patients after surgery, but there is little data on their safety and effectiveness when administered before major cancer operations.
2. Operations increase risk for blood clots in the legs, which can dislodge and travel to the lungs, resulting in pulmonary embolism.
3. Vivian Strong, MD, co-author of the study and an associate attending surgeon, said the research has been a practice-changing study for the institution.
4. Results showed that one dose of blood-thinning medication before surgery reduced the risk of blood clots and did not increase the risk of major bleeding or blood transfusion.
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