Outpatient management of deep vein thrombosis.

Objective: To assess whether patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) could be satisfactorily treated on an outpatient basis with low molecular weight (LMW) heparin and warfarin.

Design: A 22 month prospective study of adults attending St Peter's Hospital accident and emergency department with DVT.

Results: 1093 patients were referred and assessed; 160 were venogram positive, of which 159 patients between the ages of 22 and 89 years of age have now been treated with LMW heparin as outpatients. Direct liaison with community nurses has minimised the impact on general practitioner workload.

Conclusions: 1272 bed days were saved during this period (an estimated 320,000 pounds). The outpatient treatment of thromboembolism has been shown to be effective and safe.