Thromboembolism complications following acute hemiplegias

: 143 patients with acute onset of hemiplegia transferred to our unit for rehabilitation were analysed retrospectively for the development of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary emboli. 26% of the patients had suffered thromboembolic events, in more than half of the cases within the initial four weeks after hospital admission. Hemiplegia seems to be the main risk factor for thromboembolic complications, whereas age and sex had no further impact on the rate of occurrence in our series. Nor did we find a correlation between the extent of the paresis in the involved lower extremity or the degree of restriction of mobility and the incidence of thromboembolic disease. Because of the high frequency of thromboembolic complications in our patients we recommended prophylactic treatment with low dose heparin given subcutaneously, followed by oral anticoagulant therapy with vitamin K antagonists, provided there are no contraindications.