Anticoagulation and inotropes
One third of the patients were on low dose vasopressor support on the
morning of the procedure.
Thirty-five percent of patients were on therapeutic anticoagulation
prior to tracheostomy. In all cases this was held for 24 hours prior to
the procedure. Of the remaining patients, 2 were receiving a twice daily
prophylactic low molecular weight heparin due to raised D-Dimer but in
the absence of confirmed thrombo-embolic complications.