Surgery for inflammatory bowel disease raises risk of blood clots

Patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been seen to have an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) for over 75 years.

A new comprehensive study of over 270,000 surgery patients, of whom over 2000 had IBD, found that those patients with IBD had an increased risk of post-operative thromboembolism within thirty days of surgery than those who were not suffering from IBD. The researchers, publishing in JAMA Archives of Surgery, found that the risk of DVT and PE was higher in patients with the bowel disorder but the risk of suffering a myocardial infarction or stroke were not increased.

Surprisingly the risks were even higher in IBD sufferers who were undergoing non-intestinal surgery. Patients with IBD frequently require surgical intervention and it is therefore important that these patients are given DVT and PE prevention.
 

A common name for the large and/or small intestines. Full medical glossary
Obstruction of one of the deep veins, often in the calf, by a blood clot. Often abbreviated to DVT. Full medical glossary
An abbreviation for deep vein thrombosis: the obstruction of one of the deep veins, often in the calf, by a blood clot. Full medical glossary
Obstruction of blood flow by an embolus, a clot (or other material, for example, fat or air) that has become dislodged from elsewhere in the blood system. Full medical glossary
An abbreviation for inflammatory bowel disease, a group of inflammatory conditions of the intestine. The two major forms are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Full medical glossary
Death of a piece of tissue owing to obstruction of its blood supply. Full medical glossary
Death of a portion of tissue due to inadequate blood supply Full medical glossary
relating to the intestines, the digestive tract between the stomach and the anus Full medical glossary
pulmonary embolism Full medical glossary
Any sudden neurological problem caused by a bleed or a clot in a blood vessel. Full medical glossary
The breaking away of a blood clot that is then carried in the blood from one point in the circulatory system to another point, where it lodges. Full medical glossary
The formation of a blood clot. Full medical glossary
A blood vessel that carries blood towards the heart. Full medical glossary
ventricular tachycardia Full medical glossary