New Data Reveal Obesity Raises Thrombosis Risk in Geriatric Trauma
NYMC-led Study of More Than 119,000 Patients Confirms the Need for Early and Tailored Prophylaxis in Obese Geriatric Trauma Cases
As the U.S. population continues to age—and rates of obesity climb—clinicians are increasingly faced with the complex challenge of managing trauma in older, obese individuals. This vulnerable demographic faces a significantly heightened risk of thromboembolic complications, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT), stroke, and myocardial infarction, after sustaining severe trauma. A new large-scale study conducted by New York Medical College (NYMC) faculty, published in The American Journal of Surgery, offers compelling evidence that underscores this critical association.
“Understanding the thrombotic risk in obese geriatric patients, who may be prescribed anticoagulants and antiplatelets, can help optimize prevention strategies and guide post-trauma care decisions,” says Bardiya Zangbar, M.D., assistant professor of surgery, lead author of the study. “These findings underscore the imperative for vigilant thromboembolic prophylaxis and monitoring in this population.”
While the results aligned with patterns observed in scattered prior studies, this is the first large-scale analysis to confirm the extent of risk in obese geriatric trauma patients. Drawing on data from over 119,000 geriatric patients in the American College of Surgeons-Trauma Quality Improvement Program (ACS-TQIP) database from 2017 to 2019, the researchers found that overweight and obese patients were more likely to present with comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and anticoagulant use—further compounding their risk of thrombotic events.
According to Dr. Zangbar, future research should focus on refining the timing and intensity of prophylaxis, particularly given the concern that aggressive treatment may exacerbate complications such as intracranial hemorrhage. “Recognizing obesity as a modifiable risk factor before and after injury is crucial,” he noted, “and early mobilization and tailored care protocols may significantly improve outcomes for this growing patient population.”
