D-dimer levels to screen for venous thromboembolism in patients with fractures caused by high-energy injuries

Nomogram for predicting postoperative deep vein thrombosis in patients with spinal fractures caused by high-energy injuries

OBJECTIVE

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a common complication in patients with spinal fractures caused by high-energy injuries. Early identification of patients at high risk of postoperative DVT is essential for the prevention of thrombosis. This study aimed to develop and validate a prediction model based on a nomogram to predict DVT in patients with spinal fractures caused by high-energy injuries.

METHODS

Clinical data were collected from 936 patients admitted to our hospital between January 2016 and December 2021 with spinal fractures caused by high-energy injuries. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors for postoperative DVT and to develop a nomogram. The predictive performance of the nomogram was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calibration curve.

RESULTS

The incidence of preoperative DVT was 15.38% (144/936). The postoperative incidence of DVT was 20.5% (192/936). The multivariate analysis revealed that age, operation time, blood transfusion, duration of bed rest, American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) score and D-dimer were risk factors for postoperative DVT. The area under the ROC curve of the nomogram was 0.835 and the calibration curve showed good calibration.

CONCLUSIONS

The nomogram showed a good ability to predict postoperative DVT in patients with spinal fractures caused by high-energy injuries, which may benefit pre- and postoperative DVT prophylaxis strategy development.

Machine learning applications for the prediction of extended length of stay in geriatric hip fracture patients

BACKGROUND

Geriatric hip fractures are one of the most common fractures in elderly individuals, and prolonged hospital stays increase the risk of death and complications. Machine learning (ML) has become prevalent in clinical data processing and predictive models. This study aims to develop ML models for predicting extended length of stay (eLOS) among geriatric patients with hip fractures and to identify the associated risk factors.

AIM

To develop ML models for predicting the eLOS among geriatric patients with hip fractures, identify associated risk factors, and compare the performance of each model.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted at a single orthopaedic trauma centre, enrolling all patients who underwent hip fracture surgery between January 2018 and December 2022. The study collected various patient characteristics, encompassing demographic data, general health status, injury-related data, laboratory examinations, surgery-related data, and length of stay. Features that exhibited significant differences in univariate analysis were integrated into the ML model establishment and subsequently cross-verified. The study compared the performance of the ML models and determined the risk factors for eLOS.

RESULTS

The study included 763 patients, with 380 experiencing eLOS. Among the models, the decision tree, random forest, and extreme Gradient Boosting models demonstrated the most robust performance. Notably, the artificial neural network model also exhibited impressive results. After cross-validation, the support vector machine and logistic regression models demonstrated superior performance. Predictors for eLOS included delayed surgery, D-dimer level, American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) classification, type of surgery, and sex.

CONCLUSION

ML proved to be highly accurate in predicting the eLOS for geriatric patients with hip fractures. The identified key risk factors were delayed surgery, D-dimer level, ASA classification, type of surgery, and sex. This valuable information can aid clinicians in allocating resources more efficiently to meet patient demand effectively.

Predictors of preoperative deep vein thrombosis in hip fractures: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The predictors of preoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients with hip fractures remain unclear. Therefore, this study describes the results of a systematic review and meta-analysis of relevant peer-reviewed literature on this topic.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and MEDLINE for articles published in English on the predictors of preoperative DVT in hip fractures. We calculated pooled odds ratios (OR) or mean differences (MD) for the DVT groups as compared with the non-DVT groups for each variable, including gender, age, body mass index, injury side, current smoking status, time from injury to admission, time from injury to surgery, fracture type, hypertension, arrhythmia, coronary artery disease, diabetes, stroke, kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease, malignancy, rheumatoid arthritis, D-dimer, fibrinogen, activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, thrombin time, hemoglobin, albumin, total cholesterol, and triglycerides.

RESULTS

We included 9 studies involving 3,123 Asian patients with hip fractures (DVT, n = 570; non-DVT, n = 2,553). Being female (OR = 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-1.56; p = 0.02), being of advanced age (MD = 1.63; 95% CI 0.80-2.47; p = 0.0001), having a longer time from injury to admission (MD = 0.80; 95% CI 0.48-1.12; p < 0.00001), having a longer time from injury to surgery (MD = 2.20; 95% CI 1.53-2.88; p < 0.00001), and the presence of kidney disease (OR = 1.76; 95% CI 1.04-2.96; p = 0.03) were correlated with a high risk of DVT. However, we found no significant differences between the two groups in the other predictors.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence indicates that being female, being of advanced age, having a longer time from injury to admission, having a longer time from injury to surgery, and having kidney disease are significantly correlated with a high risk of preoperative DVT in Asian patients with hip fracture. Further investigations with patients of other ethnicities are required.

Epidemiology and clinical characteristics of posttraumatic hospitalized patients with symptoms related to venous thromboembolism: a single-center retrospective study

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of trauma inpatients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) symptoms diagnosed using computed tomographic angiography (CTA) in KoreaMethods: In total, 7,634 patients admitted to the emergency department of Gachon University Gil Medical Center, a tertiary hospital, and hospitalized between July 1, 2018 and December 31, 2020 were registered for this study. Of these patients, 278 patients who underwent CTA were enrolled in our study. Results: VTE was found in 120 of the 7,634 patients (1.57%), and the positive diagnosis rate of the 278 patients who underwent CTA was 43.2% (120 of 278). The incidence of VTE was statistically significantly higher among those with severe head and neck injuries (Abbreviated Injury Scale, 3–5) than among those with nonsevere head and neck injuries (Abbreviated Injury Scale, 0–2; P=0.038). In a subgroup analysis, the severe and nonsevere head and neck injury groups showed statistically significant differences in known independent risk factors for VTE. In logistic regression analysis, the adjusted odds ratio of severe head and neck injury (Abbreviated Injury Scale, 3–5) for VTE was 1.891 (95% confidence interval, 1.043–3.430). Conclusions: Trauma patients with severe head and neck injuries are more susceptible to VTE than those with nonsevere head and neck injuries. Thus, physicians must consider CTA as a priority for the diagnosis of VTE in trauma patients with severe head and neck injuries who show VTE-associated symptoms.

Role of a new age-adjusted D-dimer cutoff value for preoperative deep venous thrombosis exclusion in elderly patients with hip fractures

Objective

This study aimed to describe the characteristics of plasma D-dimer level with increasing age and establish a new age-adjusted D-dimer cutoff value for excluding preoperative lower limb deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in elderly patients with hip fractures.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of elderly patients who presented with acute hip fracture in our institution between June 2016 and June 2019. All patients underwent D-dimer test and duplex ultrasound. Patients were divided into six 5-year-apart age groups. The optimal cutoff value for each group was calculated by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, whereby the new age-adjusted D-dimer cutoff value was determined. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) were calculated and compared when different D-dimer cutoff values were applied, i.e., conventional 0.5 mg/L, previously well-established age-adjusted cutoff value (age × 0.01 mg/L) and the new age-adjusted D-dimer cutoff value herein.

Results

There were 2759 patients included, 887 males and 1872 females, with an average age of 78 years. In total, 280 patients were diagnosed with preoperative DVT. The optimal cutoff values for the six age groups were 0.715 mg/L, 1.17 mg/L, 1.62 mg/L, 1.665 mg/L, 1.69 mg/L and 1.985 mg/L, respectively, and the calculated age-adjusted coefficient was 0.02 mg/L. With this new coefficient applied, the specificity was 61%, clearly higher than those for conventional threshold (0.5 mg/L, 37%) or previously established age-adjusted D-dimer threshold (age × 0.01 mg/L, 22%). In contrast, the sensitivity was lower than that (59% vs 85% or 77%) when D-dimer threshold of 0.5 mg/L or age-adjusted cutoff value (age × 0.01 mg/L) was used. The other indexes as PPV (15%, 11% and 12%) and NPV (93%, 93% and 94%) were comparable when three different D-dimer thresholds were applied.

Conclusions

We developed a new age-adjusted D-dimer cutoff value (age × 0.02 mg/L) for a specified high-risk population of patients aged 65 years or older with hip fractures, and demonstrated the improved utility of the D-dimer test for exclusion of DVT. This formula can be considered for use in elderly hip fracture patients who meet the applicable standards as preoperative DVT screening, after its validity is confirmed by more well-evidenced studies.

Relationship Between the Incidence of Deep Vein Thrombosis During Hospitalization and the Energy of Injury in Tibial Plateau Fractures

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) during hospitalization and the energy of injury in tibial plateau fractures (TPFs). One hundred and forty patients were enrolled between September 1, 2014, and October 1, 2017. According to Schatzker's classification, they were classified into the low-energy (type I-III) and high-energy (type IV-VI) groups. For DVT evaluation, duplex ultrasonography was performed in the lower extremities preoperatively and postoperatively. The location and changes of DVT were recorded. All patients underwent mechanical and chemical thromboprophylaxis. The incidence of DVT in TPFs was 36.43% and 46.43% preoperatively and postoperatively, respectively. The DVT incidence was 31.75% (20/63) in the low-energy group and 40.26% (31/77) in the high-energy group preoperatively, and 44.44% (28/63) in the low-energy group and 48.05% (37/77) in the high-energy group postoperatively. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups preoperatively (P = .298) and postoperatively (P = .785). The days between operation and discharge (P = .016), blood loss during surgery (P = .016), and preoperative d-dimer level (P = .02) showed differences between the 2 groups. Additionally, 29 new thrombi (14 [48.28%] in the high-energy group and 15 [51.72%] in the low-energy group) appeared and 16 preoperative thrombi disappeared postoperatively. Despite mechanical and chemical thromboprophylaxis, the DVT risk in patients with TPFs remains high. Although the DVT incidence is not significantly different between high-energy and low-energy injuries, the occurrence of DVT should be carefully monitored.

The Incidence and Location of Deep Vein Thrombosis in Lower Extremity Fracture Patients Receiving Sequential Chemical Prophylaxis

To investigate the incidence and location of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients with lower extremity fractures receiving pharmacological thromboprophylaxis with LMWH followed by rivaroxaban. All patients aged ≥18 years with lower extremity fractures were included in the study. Duplex ultrasonography (DUS) was performed in the lower extremities before and after surgery for DVT evaluation. According to the location, the DVT was divided into proximal, distal, and mixed thromboses. According to fracture location, patients were classified as having fractures proximal, around, and distal to the knee. All patients received sequential chemical prophylaxis. A total of 404 patients with a mean age of 44.2 ± 13.8 years were included. The incidence of DVT postoperatively was higher than that preoperatively and at 1 month postoperatively. Patients with fractures proximal and around the knee had higher DVT incidences detected on DUS postoperatively and at 1 month postoperatively. Most DVTs were located in the distal vein. DVT incidence and severity were the highest immediately after surgery. DVT incidence in fractures around and proximal to the knee increased after surgery and at 1 month postoperatively. Although with chemical thromboprophylaxis, distal DVT was the most variable during the early stage.

Elevated plasma D-dimer concentration has higher efficacy for the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection of the knee than of the hip-A single-center, retrospective study

The aim of this study is to evaluate the value of D-dimers in the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). The analysis was performed for revision total hip (rTHA) and revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA) together and separately with two thresholds, one calculated by statistical methods and the second adopted from the ICM 2018 definition. The study group comprised 133 patients who underwent rTHA or rTKA: 68 patients diagnosed according to the ICM 2018 definition (PJI group) and 65 with aseptic implant loosening, instability, malposition, or implant failure with the exclusion of infection (aseptic revision total joint arthroplasty or arTJA group). Mean D-dimer concentrations were 0.36 ± 0.25 μg/ml in the arTJA group and 0.87 ± 0.78 μg/ml in the PJI group (p < .001). For rTHA and rTKA together, the sensitivity and specificity of the evaluation were 75% and 73.8% according to the calculated cut-off value (0.45 μg/ml), and 33.8% and 95.4% based on the ICM 2018 threshold (0.85 μg/ml). Separately, for rTHA, sensitivity and specificity were 62.5% and 62.1% for the calculated value (0.43 μg/ml) and 6.3% and 96.6% for the ICM 2018 threshold; for rTKA, sensitivity was 86.1% and specificity was 88.9% for the calculated threshold (0.48 μg/ml) and 58.3% and 94.4% for the ICM 2018 value. Our findings indicate that plasma D-dimers have potential as markers of knee PJI, but moderate to low value for hip PJI.

Clinical Study on the Screening of Lower Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis by D-Dimer Combined with RAPT Score Among Orthopedic Trauma Patients

BACKGROUND

Among the causes of mortality in patients with lower extremity fracture following surgery, lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a leading one. To lower the morbidity and mortality, early screening and preventive anticoagulation therapy are essential in clinical study. Common screening methods, including risk prediction tools, imaging tests and D-dimer test, had various drawbacks. The study aimed to establish a new method, that is, D-dimer combined with Risk Assessment and Predictor Tool (RAPT) score, for screening the lower extremity DVT among patients with lower extremity fracture and evaluate its clinical value.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The RAPT score, plasma D-dimer and lower extremity venous ultrasonography examination reports were collected from Department of Emergency Surgery & Orthopaedic Surgery from July 2019 to December 2019, and the data were analyzed retrospectively. Regarding the lower extremity venous ultrasonography examination report as the "gold standard" to determine whether DVT exists, the sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve (AUC) of RAPT score alone, plasma D-dimer alone and combination of them in screening lower extremity DVT were analyzed and evaluated.

RESULTS

197 patients were enrolled in the study. There were significant differences in D-dimer level and RAPT score between DVT group and non-DVT group (P < 0.01). The sensitivity, specificity and AUC of RAPT score and D-dimer in screening lower extremity DVT were 78.12%, 56.44%, 0.723 and 97.71%, 25.74%, 0.803, respectively. The optimal diagnostic value of D-dimer decided by Youden's index was 1.125 μg/ml. The sensitivity and specificity of the method by combining RAPT score with this new D-dimer threshold were 96.88% and 42.57%, respectively, and AUC was 0.812.

CONCLUSION

Higher diagnostic accuracy could be achieved by combining RAPT score with new D-dimer threshold. This novel diagnostic method is potential in the clinical diagnosis of DVT among orthopedic trauma patients.

Risk factors of postoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) under low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) prophylaxis in patients with thoracolumbar fractures caused by high-energy injuries

To determine the incidence of DVT and to evaluate the risk factors of DVT under LMWH prophylaxis in patients with thoracolumbar fractures caused by high‑energy injuries postoperatively. A total of 534 patients from January 2016 to November 2019 were included in this retrospective study. Medical record data, including demographic data, perioperative variables, and laboratory results, were collected. LMWH prophylaxis was used for DVT in all the patients. The incidence and risk factors of DVT after surgery were identified by logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The overall incidence of postoperative DVT was 18.91% (101/534). Three patients (0.56%) had proximal DVT and ninety-eight (18.35%) patients had distal DVT. The incidence of postoperative DVT in patients with thoracic fractures was 26.80% and 15.50% with lumbar fractures. The multivariate analysis showed that six risk factors increased the incidence of postoperative DVT, including advanced age, decreased lower extremity motor, blood transfusion, duration of bed rests, fibrinogen (FIB), and D-dimer. The ROC analysis indicated that the diagnostic value of D-dimer was highest whose area under the ROC curves (AUC) value was 0.754. Despite LMWH prophylaxis, the risk of postoperative DVT is still very high, especially in thoracic fracture. Advanced age, decreased lower extremity motor, blood transfusion, duration of bed rests, FIB, and D-dimer are risk factors for DVT. Moreover, the diagnostic value of D-dimer is the highest among these factors.

Prevalence and Predictors for Preoperative Deep Vein Thrombosis in Patients with Thoracolumbar Fractures Caused by High-Energy Injuries

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of preoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and to identify the predictors for preoperative DVT in patients with thoracolumbar fractures caused by high-energy injuries.

METHODS

A total of 429 patients with thoracolumbar fractures caused by high-energy injuries from October 2016 to November 2019 were included in this retrospective study. The patients underwent ultrasonography before operation and were divided into the DVT group and non-DVT group. Demographic data and laboratory results were collected, and mechanical and chemical prophylaxis were performed to prevent DVT. The incidence of DVT was evaluated and the predictors of preoperative DVT were identified.

RESULTS

The overall incidence of preoperative DVT was 14.45% (62/429). Of all patients, 1 (0.23%) had proximal DVT and 61 (14.22%) had distal DVT. The incidence of preoperative DVT was 24.59% in patients with thoracic fractures and 11.04% in those with lumbar fractures. Multivariate logistic regression identified 3 predictors, including lower extremity motor (P < 0.001), time from injury to operation (P < 0.001), and D-dimer (P = 0.001). Lower extremity motor score <3, time from injury to operation >3 days, and D-dimer >1.81 mg/L showed satisfied accuracy for predicting preoperative DVT. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated the diagnostic value of D-dimer was the highest when the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve curve was 0.769.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite mechanical and chemical prophylaxis, the incidence of preoperative DVT is still very high, especially in thoracic fractures. Lower extremity motor score <3, time from injury to operation >3 days, and D-dimer >1.81 mg/L are predictors for preoperative DVT. More attention is warranted to prevent preoperative DVT when ≥2 predictors are present.

Novel screening criteria for post-traumatic venous thromboembolism by using D-dimer

AIM

Because severe trauma patients frequently manifest coagulopathy, it is extremely important to detect venous thromboembolism (VTE) in the acute phase. However, no reference value for D-dimer in post-traumatic VTE has been reported given the substantial increase in its levels after injury. Therefore, this study evaluates the ability of our screening criteria using D-dimer to detect VTE in severe trauma patients.

METHODS

Trauma patients (n = 455) who were admitted to our emergency medical center during October 2011-June 2015 were included in this study. To prevent VTE, intermittent pneumatic compression was carried out in most patients. Our screening criteria included the following: (i) ≥5 days of hospital stay, (ii) increasing D-dimer levels across 3 measuring days, (iii) D-dimer levels ≥15 μg/mL. Patients who met these screening criteria underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT) to detect VTE.

RESULTS

During the study period, 108 cases satisfied the screening criteria; 73 of these underwent CE-CT, 34 of whom were diagnosed with VTE (positive predictive value, 46.6%). The median hospital stay on satisfying the screening criteria and before undergoing CE-CT was 7 and 10 days, respectively. No patient had VTE symptoms at the time of diagnosis. Also, none of the remaining 347 patients who did not satisfy the screening criteria had VTE symptoms.

CONCLUSION

The screening criteria using D-dimer presented herein can be used as reference for efficiently detecting VTE in severe trauma patients.

Venous thromboembolism in major trauma patients: a single-center retrospective cohort study of the epidemiology and utility of D-dimer for screening

Aim

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) can be a life‐threatening complication after major trauma. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of VTE and to assess the usefulness of D‐dimer for screening for VTE in major trauma cases among the Japanese population.

Methods

We examined a single‐center retrospective cohort of severely injured trauma patients who had been admitted to the emergency intensive care unit at Okayama University Hospital (Okayama, Japan) from April 2013 through to March 2016. Venous thromboembolism was confirmed by computed tomography angiography and computed tomography venography, which was determined based on the attending physician monitoring daily D‐dimer levels. Independent risk factors for VTE were determined by multiple logistic regression analysis. D‐dimer levels were evaluated using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) to predict VTE.

Results

The study cohort consisted of 204 trauma patients (median Injury Severity Score, 20). Of the 204 patients, 65 (32%) developed VTE. The median time from admission to VTE diagnosis was 10 days. In multiple logistic regression analysis, higher Injury Severity Score and the presence of lower extremity fractures were revealed to be a risk factor for VTE. D‐dimer levels at day 10 showed moderate accuracy, of which the AUROC was 0.785 (95% confidence interval, 0.704–0.866; P < 0.001). The cut‐off that maximized the Youden index was 12.45 μg/mL.

Conclusions

At least one of every three major trauma patients had potential development of VTE at a median of 10 days following admission to the intensive care unit. D‐dimer levels on day 10 can be a useful predictor of VTE.

Thrombin-antithrombin III complex tests

PURPOSE

Patients with fractures of the pelvis and/or lower extremities are at a high risk of developing postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE). The purpose of this study was to determine whether the thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT) tests could be used for postoperative screening of VTE in patients with lower limb or pelvic fractures.

METHODS

We enrolled 133 patients who underwent surgical treatment for fracture of the pelvis or lower extremities. TAT and D-dimer levels were compared in patients with and without VTE. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was done and the appropriate TAT and D-dimer cutoff levels were determined for VTE screening.

RESULTS

VTE was diagnosed in 41 patients (30.8%). Patients with VTE had significantly higher levels of TAT and D-dimer on postoperative days 1, 3, and 7 than those without VTE, respectively. ROC curve analysis suggested that TAT test at postoperative day 7 had the highest accuracy for predicting postoperative VTE. With the optimal cutoff TAT level of 3.0 ng/mL, sensitivity and specificity were 93.3% and 70.1%, respectively. With the optimal cutoff D-dimer level of 7.4 µg/mL, sensitivity and specificity were 93.3% and 57.0%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

TAT levels measured at postoperative day 7 could be the most useful parameter for screening postoperative VTE. TAT can be used as a screening tool for screening postoperative VTE in patients with lower limb and pelvic fractures.