Chinese expert consensus on prevention, diagnosis, and management of venous thromboembolism in adult burn patients (2024)

TL;DR

This paper presents a consensus on preventing and managing blood clots in adult burn patients in China, offering 21 clinical recommendations.

Contribution

The paper introduces a new expert consensus tailored to VTE management in adult burn patients in China.

Findings

Burn injuries increase the risk of VTE due to tissue damage and immobility.

Specialized anticoagulation strategies are needed to balance clot prevention and bleeding risks.

Twenty-one evidence-based recommendations were developed for clinical practice.

Abstract

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) management in adult burn patients has become a crucial focus in China. The intricate nature of VTE necessitates specialized anticoagulation strategies due to the unique challenges posed by burn injuries. To address this pressing issue, the Burn and Trauma Branch of the Chinese Geriatric Medical Association and Critical Care Group of Burn Surgery Branch of the Chinese Medical Association organized a panel of domestic experts in burn surgery, critical care medicine, vascular surgery, nursing, and health statistics and methodology from Chinese hospitals to discuss VTE-related issues in burn injury, the heightened risk factors such as extensive tissue damage and prolonged immobilization, and the delicate balance required in anticoagulation therapy to mitigate bleeding risks. Based on the latest available research evidence as well as the clinical experience of the panel experts, this consensus comprehensively evaluates factors such as generalizability, suitability, and the potential implications for resource allocation. It also appropriately weighs the clinical advantages against possible drawbacks, resulting in the formulation of 21 guideline recommendations.

Registration Practice Guideline REgistry for transPAREncy (PREPARE): No. 2023CN656.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40779-025-00653-9.

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