Quiz Form

Question Date: 06/10/2023

Question: A 23-year-old man is involved in a motorcycle accident and sustains a traumatic spinal cord injury with complete paraplegia and a T4 sensory level. Which of the following durations of anticoagulation is most appropriate to prevent deep venous thrombosis in this patient?

Options:

• 2 weeks
• 3 months
• 1 year
• Lifelong

Correct Answer: 3 months

Explaination: Although the exact duration is still controversial, anticoagulation is generally recommended for 3 months following traumatic spinal cord injury. One study showed a significantly higher incidence of deep venous thrombosis in patients with traumatic injuries compared with nontraumatic myelopathies. The incidence of deep venous thrombosis does not appear to be increased over the general population after 3 months

Reference: Page 188 Abrams GM, Ganguly K. Management of chronic spinal cord dysfunction. Continuum (Minneap Minn). 2015 Feb21(1 Spinal Cord Disorders)188-200. doi 10.121201.CON.0000461092.86865.a4. PMID 25651225 PMCID PMC4325904.