Update in the diagnosis of deep-vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism

A retrospective study of the role of preoperative ultrasonography in the detection of deep vein thrombosis in 1750 patients with gastric and colorectal cancers

BACKGROUND

There has been a lack of research in the past on the prevalence and risk factors associated with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients with resectable gastric and colorectal cancers. The purpose of this study was to review the anatomical distribution, prevalence and risk factors associated with lower limb DVT in 1750 patients with preoperative gastric and colorectal cancers and to evaluate the role of preoperative ultrasonography in the detection of DVT in preventing postoperative pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) in patients with gastric and colorectal cancers.

METHODS

A total of 1750 patients with gastric and colorectal cancers who underwent preoperative venous ultrasonography of the lower limbs were retrospectively reviewed. The risk factors associated with preoperative DVT were identified using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Seventy-three of the 1750 patients with gastric and colorectal cancers had DVT detected by preoperative venous ultrasonography of the lower limb and the incidence of lower limb DVT was 4.17 % in 1750 patients with gastric and colorectal cancers. Univariate analysis showed a higher risk of DVT in patients who met the following criteria: aged ≥80 years, female sex, the performance status ≥1, stage IV, ASA class ≥ III/IV, and hypertension. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that female sex, stage IV and ASA class ≥ III/IV were significantly associated with DVT before gastric and colorectal cancer surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that female sex, stage IV and ASA class ≥ III/IV were significantly associated with DVT before gastric and colorectal cancer surgery. Routine venous ultrasonography for the lower limb can identify the risk of PTE, which is of great significance in the prevention and occurrence of PTE.

The rate of missed diagnosis of lower-limb DVT by ultrasound amounts to 50% or so in patients without symptoms of DVT: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

To assess whether the ultrasound (US) is a reliable approach in detecting lower-limb deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients without symptoms of DVT.

METHODS

The research team performed a systematic search in PubMed, Ovid, Cochrane, and Web of Science without language or date restrictions. Full-text reports on prospective diagnostic studies involve the detection of lower-limb proximal and distal DVT in patients without symptoms of DVT using US and venography. A meta-analysis was performed using Meta-DiSc (version 1.4), providing the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive (LR+) and negative (LR-) likelihood ratios of the detection accuracy of US. There were 4 different classes of subgroup analysis-the class of patients stratified by location of US exam (proximal, distal, whole leg), the class stratified by technique (color/doppler, compression, both modalities), the class stratified by kind of surgery (orthopedic, otherwise hospitalized) and the class stratified by era of publishing (1980s, 1990s, 2000s). The study quality and the risk of bias were evaluated using QUADAS-2, with heterogeneity was assessed and quantified by the Q score and I statistics, respectively.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis included 26 articles containing 41 individual studies with a total of 3951 patients without symptoms of DVT. Using venography as the gold standard, US for proximal DVT had a pooled sensitivity of 59% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 51%-66%) and a pooled specificity of 98% (95% CI = 97%-98%), US for distal DVT had a poor sensitivity of 43% (95% CI = 38%-48%) and a pooled specificity of 95% (95% CI = 94%-96%), US for whole-leg DVT had a pooled sensitivity of 59% (95% CI = 54%-64%) and a pooled specificity of 95% (95% CI = 94%-96%), US for post-major orthopedic surgery patients had a pooled sensitivity of 52% (95% CI = 49%-55%), and US for other types of patients had a pooled sensitivity of 58% (95% CI = 43%-72%). Pure compression technique for DVT had a poor sensitivity of 43% (95% CI = 39%-48%), pure color/doppler technique for DVT had a pooled sensitivity of 58% (95% CI = 53%-63%), compression and color/doppler technique for DVT had a pooled sensitivity of 61% (95% CI = 48%-74%).

CONCLUSION

US could be a useful tool for diagnosing DVT, but it has a lower positive rate and a higher false negative rate. The rate of missed diagnosis of lower-limb DVT by US amounts to 50% or so in the patients without symptoms of DVT. The negative results do not preclude the possibility of DVT and if appropriate heightened surveillance and continued monitoring or try a more accurate inspection method is warranted. The whole leg evaluation and color/doppler technique should be the preferred approach.

Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis after hip preservation surgery: a review and presentation of institutional experience

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a serious complication after major orthopedic procedures. The best options for prevention of the VTE are still debated. The most popular evidence-based guidelines for prevention and treatment of VTE in orthopedic surgery addressed the total hip or knee arthroplasty and hip fractures as the major orthopedic surgeries. Majority of studies have evaluated the different modalities of the VTE prophylaxis in patients undergiong hip or knee arthroplasty. Hip preservation surgeries (HPS) including mini-open femoroacetabular osteoplasty, surgical dislocation of the hip, arthroscopic procedures, and periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) are gained popularity in recent two decades. The majority of these patients are young, healthy and active and may not be considered at high risk for VTE. The frequency of VTE in patients undergoing PAO seems to be low between 0 and 5%. There is a paucity of data regarding rates of VTE in young healthy patients undergoing HPS as well as the optimal prevention methods for VTE. Hence current VTE prevention guidelines do not cover HPS adequately. We aimed to review the available literature regarding VTE events and VTE prophylaxis options after HPS. We discussed the available and potential options for prophylaxis of VTE events in these procedures along with our experience in a large cohort of hip preservation surgery.

Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism Considerations in Orthopedic Surgery

Patients undergoing orthopedic surgery have an increased risk for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). These complications are considered detrimental, as they cause major postoperative morbidity and mortality and lead to a substantial health care burden. Because of the high incidence and serious nature of these complications, it is essential for orthopedic surgeons to have a comprehensive knowledge of the risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment of acute DVT and PE. Perioperative management of orthopedic patients to prevent postoperative DVT and PE and optimize postoperative outcomes is also discussed in this review.

Risk level analysis for deep vein thrombosis (DVT): A study of Turkish patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a prevalent problem for orthopedic patients, particularly owing to the nature of operative interventions and treatment procedures, predisposing to an high risk of DVT. This descriptive study was conducted to determine the levels of risk, the risk factors, and their odds ratio for DVT in patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery. Data were collected using a Patient Information Form and the Autar DVT Risk Assessment Scale (DVTRAS) in orthopedic wards of a university hospital on postoperative day 2. Data were analyzed using descriptive, comparative analysis, and binary logistic regression. The 102 patients (mean age, 52.58 ± 21.58 years) were hospitalized for a mean of 14.35 ± 14.56. Of the sample, 53.9% were female, 65.7% had a history of previous surgery, and 54.9% had undergone total hip/knee arthroplastic surgery, 67.6% of patients wore graduated compression stockings, and 62.7% were administered liquid infusion. Those patients had moderate risk score (12.77 ± 5.66) in the Autar DVTRAS. According to binary logistic regression analysis, aging, obesity, immobility, and acute and chronic diseases were significant risk factors for postoperative DVT (p ≤ .05). This study highlights evidence on the degree of DVT risk, risk factors, and impact of venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing major orthopedic operations. For evidence-based clinical practice, these high-level risk factors should be taken into account in the prevention of DVT in orthopedic patients.

Medical management of brain tumor patients

Brain tumors can present challenging medical problems. Seizures, peritumoral edema, venous thromboembolism, fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction can complicate the treatment of patients who have primary or metastatic brain tumors. Effective medical management results in decreased morbidity and mortality and improved quality of life for affected patients.

Medical management of patients with brain tumors

The most common medical problems in brain tumor patients include the management of seizures, peritumoral edema, medication side effects, venous thromboembolism (VTE), fatigue and cognitive dysfunction. Despite their importance, there are relatively few studies specifically addressing these issues. There is increasing evidence that brain tumor patients who have not had a seizure do not benefit from prophylactic antiepileptic medications. Patients on corticosteroids are at greater risk of Pneumocystis jerovecii pneumonia and may benefit from prophylactic therapy. There is also growing evidence suggesting that anticoagulation may be more effective than inferior vena cava IVC) filtration devices for treating VTE in brain tumor patients and the risk of hemorrhage with anticoagulation is relatively small. Low-molecular weight heparin may be more effective than coumadin. Medications such as modafinil and methylphenidate have assumed an increasing role in the treatment of fatigue, while donepezil and memantine may be helpful with memory loss.