scholarly journals Reaffirmation of the importance of follow-up ultrasound studies in patients with high D-dimers and clinical suspicion of vein thrombosis

Ultrasound ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-29
Author(s):  
Y Tung-Chen ◽  
I Pizarro ◽  
A Rivera-Núñez ◽  
A Martínez-Virto ◽  
A Lorenzo-Hernández ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Venous Thrombosis ◽  
Deep Venous Thrombosis ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Common Disease ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Major Health Problem ◽  
D Dimer

Background Venous thromboembolism is a common disease seen in the emergency department and a cause of high morbidity and mortality, constituting a major health problem. Objectives To assess the potential benefit of follow-up ultrasound of patients who attended the emergency department with suspected superficial venous thrombosis or deep venous thrombosis and were found to have an initial negative whole-leg (or arm) ultrasound study. Methods This retrospective study included patients aged 18 years or older who were consecutively referred to a thrombosis clinic from the emergency department, with abnormal D-dimer test and moderate to high pre-test probability of deep venous thrombosis (Well's score ≥ 1), but a negative whole-leg (or arm) ultrasound. Demographic characteristics, symptom duration, laboratory and ultrasound data were recorded. At one-week follow-up, an experienced physician repeated ultrasound, and recorded the findings. Results From January 2017 to April 2018, 54 patients were evaluated. The mean age was 66.8 years (SD 15.0) and 63% were women. The average D-dimer was 2159.9 (SD 3772.0) ng/mL. Ultrasound abnormalities were found in 12 patients (22.2%; 95% confidence interval of 12.5 to 36.0%), with 4 patients having proximal deep venous thrombosis, distal deep venous thrombosis in 2 patients and superficial venous thrombosis in 6 patients. We did not find any significant differences in demographic characteristics, venous thromboembolism risk factors or laboratory parameters between patients with negative and positive follow-up ultrasound. Conclusions These preliminary findings suggest that a negative whole-leg (or arm) ultrasound in addition to an abnormal D-dimer in moderate to high deep venous thrombosis pretest probability patients, might be an insufficient diagnostic approach to exclude suspected deep venous thrombosis or superficial venous thrombosis. Confirmation of this higher than expected prevalence would support the need to repeat one-week ultrasound control in this population.

High incidence of patients lost to follow-up after venous thromboembolism diagnosis – Identifying an unmet need for targeted transition of care

Vascular ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 170853812110209
Author(s):  
Rae S Rokosh ◽  
Jack H Grazi ◽  
David Ruohoniemi ◽  
Eugene Yuriditsky ◽  
James Horowitz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Venous Thrombosis ◽  
Deep Venous Thrombosis ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Transition Of Care ◽  
Initial Discharge ◽  
Significant Difference

Objectives Venous thromboembolism, including deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is a major source of morbidity, mortality, and healthcare utilization. Given the prevalence of venous thromboembolism and its associated mortality, our study sought to identify factors associated with loss to follow-up in venous thromboembolism patients. Methods This is a single-center retrospective study of all consecutive admitted (inpatient) and emergency department patients diagnosed with acute venous thromboembolism via venous duplex examination and/or chest computed tomography from January 2018 to March 2019. Patients with chronic deep venous thrombosis and those diagnosed in the outpatient setting were excluded. Lost to venous thromboembolism-specific follow-up (LTFU) was defined as patients who did not follow up with vascular, cardiology, hematology, oncology, pulmonology, or primary care clinic for venous thromboembolism management at our institution within three months of initial discharge. Patients discharged to hospice or dead within 30 days of initial discharge were excluded from LTFU analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA 16 (College Station, TX: StataCorp LLC) with a p-value of <0.05 set for significance. Results During the study period, 291 isolated deep venous thrombosis, 25 isolated pulmonary embolism, and 54 pulmonary embolism with associated deep venous thrombosis were identified in 370 patients. Of these patients, 129 (35%) were diagnosed in the emergency department and 241 (65%) in the inpatient setting. At discharge, 289 (78%) were on anticoagulation, 66 (18%) were not, and 15 (4%) were deceased. At the conclusion of the study, 120 patients (38%) had been LTFU, 85% of whom were discharged on anticoagulation. There was no statistically significant difference between those LTFU and those with follow-up with respect to age, gender, diagnosis time of day, venous thromboembolism anatomic location, discharge unit location, or anticoagulation choice at discharge. There was a non-significant trend toward longer inpatient length of stay among patients LTFU (16.2 days vs. 12.3 days, p = 0.07), and a significant increase in the proportion of LTFU patients discharged to a facility rather than home ( p = 0.02). On multivariate analysis, we found a 95% increase in the odds of being lost to venous thromboembolism-specific follow-up if discharged to a facility (OR 1.95, CI 1.1–3.6, p = 0.03) as opposed to home. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that over one-third of patients diagnosed with venous thromboembolism at our institution are lost to venous thromboembolism-specific follow-up, particularly those discharged to a facility. Our work suggests that significant improvement could be achieved by establishing a pathway for the targeted transition of care to a venous thromboembolism-specific follow-up clinic.

Long-term Clinical Follow-up in 265 Patients with Deep Venous Thrombosis Initially Treated with either Unfractionated Heparin or Dalteparin: A Retrospective Analysis

1999 ◽  
Vol 82 (10) ◽  
pp. 1222-1226 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Åberg ◽  
D. Lockner ◽  
C. Paul ◽  
M. Holmström
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Venous Thrombosis ◽  
Deep Venous Thrombosis ◽  
Unfractionated Heparin ◽  
Malignant Disease ◽  
Duration Of Treatment ◽  
Post Thrombotic Syndrome ◽  
Recurrent Vte

SummaryThe primary objective of this retrospective study was to describe the frequency of a post-thrombotic syndrome in 265 patients previously treated for deep venous thrombosis (DVT). The secondary objectives were to document the frequency of recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) and mortality, especially from malignant disease. The patients were evaluated 5-14 years after inclusion in three randomized trials comparing continuous intravenous (i. v.) infusion of unfractionated heparin (UFH) (n = 85) with a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), dalteparin (n = 180). The median post-thrombotic score at follow-up was 2 (range 0-8). In a multiple step-wise regression analysis the post-thrombotic score was significantly higher among patients with initial proximal DVT (p = 0,0001) as compared with those who had distal DVT. A recurrent venous thromboembolic event was diagnosed in 29,4% of the patients treated with dalteparin and in 23,5% of the patients treated with UFH (ns). A secondary risk factor for venous thromboembolism and a longer duration of treatment with oral anticoagulants (OAC) were significantly associated with a lower risk for recurrent VTE, whereas malignant disease diagnosed during follow-up was associated with a higher risk. During follow-up a total of 40,7% of patients had died. No difference in total mortality or mortality from malignant disease was demonstrated between the two drugs. In conclusion, a severe post-thrombotic syndrome occured relatively infrequent. considering the long observation period. Proximal DVT was significantly associated with a more severe post-thrombotic syndrome. After 14 years follow-up, no significant differences were observed in overall mortality, mortality from malignant disease or recurrent VTE between UFH- and dalteparin-treated patients. Malignant disease was a risk factor for recurrent VTE, the presence of a secondary risk factor and a longer duration of treatment with OAC decreased the risk for recurrent VTE.

P2765Efficacy of venous recanalization by noninvasive pulsed cavitational ultrasound therapy on swine model of acute deep venous thrombosis

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
L Khider ◽  
G Goudot ◽  
C Del Giudice ◽  
T Mirault ◽  
P Bruneval ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Venous Thrombosis ◽  
Deep Venous Thrombosis ◽  
Surrounding Tissue ◽  
Ultrasound Therapy ◽  
Swine Model ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Linear Probe ◽  
Venous Recanalization

Abstract Background Post thrombotic syndrome is a frequent complication of deep venous thrombosis and is associated with high morbidity and hospitalization. Treatments currently available are invasive, involve use of endovenous procedures with stents and balloons, and frequently require general anesthesia. Pulsed cavitational ultrasound therapy (PCUT) emerged recently as a new technique to destroy remotely soft tissue. We recently demonstrated that PCUT was able to recanalize non-invasively in in vitro model of acute venous thrombosis (human blood clot). Purpose We aim to test the safety and efficacy of venous recanalization by noninvasive PCUT in vivo swine model of acute venous thrombosis. Methods All the experiments were performed on White large X Landrace swine. We induced an acute femoral deep venous thrombosis by using occlusive balloons introduced from jugular and popliteal vein combined with local injection of 50 IU of human thrombin. A 3 cm length occlusive thrombosis was obtained after 2 hours. Swines were divided in three groups: one with PCUT without follow-up (n=11), one with PCUT and follow-up at 14 days (n=8), and a control group also followed for 14 days (n=5). Acutely and during the follow up all swines received curative anticoagulation. To achieve PCUT, a 2.25 MHz transducer centered by a linear probe was used and cavitation was obtained in the center of the vein (Figure). After manual determination of thrombus location, a robotic arm was used to automatically move the transducer along the thrombus. Effectiveness of recanalization was evaluated by echo-Doppler and phlebography. Safety was assessed by Doppler ultrasound of the insonified area (artery, veins and surrounding tissue) and by histological analysis (local femoral vein and artery and lungs for pulmonary embolism). Results Among the 24 swines, we obtained 22 occlusive venous thromboses and 2 partial. The median length of the thrombus was 26±4.4 mm with vein diameter of 8.5±1.6 mm. Acutely, thrombosis recanalization was systematically obtained among the 19 swine with PCUT with median treatment duration of 33 minutes with residual diameter of 2.9±0.9 mm. No extravasation of contrast material or hematoma was observed after the therapy. After a 14-day follow-up, 75% of recanalisation remain permeable vs. 0% of vein permeable in the no therapy group (p=0.008). Residual diameter was 2.6±1.2 mm, which correspond to 50% of the venous diameter. No vein or artery damage and no embolism or pulmonary infarction was observed in all pigs. Figure 1 Conclusion We have demonstrated in vivo the safety and the efficacy of PCUT for non-invasive venous recanalization, persistent after 2 weeks. Acknowledgement/Funding French society of cardiology

scholarly journals Zika and Chikungunya Virus and Risk for Venous Thromboembolism

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 107602961882118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Ramacciotti ◽  
Leandro B. Agati ◽  
Valéria C. R. Aguiar ◽  
Nelson Wolosker ◽  
João C. Guerra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Venous Thrombosis ◽  
Deep Venous Thrombosis ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Endemic Region ◽  
Venous Thromboembolic Events ◽  
Hospital Patients ◽  
Venous Thromboembolic ◽  
D Dimer

A variety of viral infections are associated with hypercoagulable states and may be linked to the development of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. The Zika and Chikungunya viral infections spread through the South and Central American continents, moving to North America in 2016, with severe cases of polyarthralgia, fever, and Guillain-Barré syndrome leading eventually to death. A decreased trend for both infections was reported in the first quarter of 2017. In this article, we report the possible association of venous thromboembolic events associated with Zika infection. After 2 cases of deep venous thrombosis in patients with acute Zika infections, D-dimer levels were measured in 172 consecutive patients who presented to the emergency department of a university hospital in an endemic region of Brazil with either Zika or Chikungunya infections confirmed by polymerase chain reaction tests. D-dimer levels were increased in 19.4% of 31 patients with Zika and in 63.8% of 141 patients with Chikungunya infections. The mechanisms behind this association are yet to be elucidated as well as the potential for venous thromboembolism prevention strategies for in-hospital patients affected by Zika and Chikungunya infections.

scholarly journals Can’t Dissolve Me Now: A COVID-19 Provoked Venous Thromboembolism Breaks Through Apixaban: Case Report

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 202-205
Author(s):  
Alexander Arena ◽  
Ahmad Hussein ◽  
Ellen Kurkowski ◽  
Ellen Kurkowski ◽  
Miriam Kulkarni
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Venous Thrombosis ◽  
Deep Venous Thrombosis ◽  
Optimal Dosage ◽  
History Of

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a multisystem process with a growing evidence of its endotheliopathy effects, with subsequent hypercoagulability states. Case Report: WWe present an emergency department case of a COVID-19-provoked deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism without a history of venous thromboembolism (VTE), with extension of the VTE despite adherence to apixaban. Conclusion: This case demonstrates the importance of further research and protocols for optimal dosage and treatment to prevent worsening VTE in COVID-19 patients.

Diagnostic Accuracy and Financial Implications of Age-Adjusted D-Dimer Strategies for the Diagnosis of Deep Venous Thrombosis in the Emergency Department

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 469-477 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter M. Reardon ◽  
Sean Patrick ◽  
Monica Taljaard ◽  
Kednapa Thavorn ◽  
Marie-Joe Nemnom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Venous Thrombosis ◽  
Deep Venous Thrombosis ◽  
D Dimer

Exclusion of Deep Venous Thrombosis with D-Dimer Testing

2000 ◽  
Vol 83 (02) ◽  
pp. 191-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henk van den Borne ◽  
Marion van der Kolk ◽  
Piet de Wild ◽  
Ger Janssen ◽  
Stan van Uum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Venous Thrombosis ◽  
Deep Venous Thrombosis ◽  
Diagnostic Performance ◽  
Reference Range ◽  
Clinical Suspicion ◽  
Reference Standard ◽  
Upper Limit ◽  
Conventional Elisa ◽  
D Dimer

SummaryIn a direct assay comparison we evaluated the diagnostic performance of 10 novel D-Dimer assays for the exclusion of deep venous thrombosis (DVT). In addition, 3 conventional ELISA D-Dimer assays were included as reference tests. The study was performed in 99 consecutive outpatients referred to the emergency department for clinical suspicion of DVT. Venography was used as reference standard and demonstrated the presence of DVT in 50 patients (6 patients with isolated distal DVT and 44 patients with proximal DVT). The qualitative D-Dimer assays Minutex and SimpliRED and the quantitative BC DD showed overall sensitivities (for proximal and distal DVT) of only 80-83% with specificities that ranged from 87 to 94%. Overall sensitivity was 94% for the qualitative INSTANT I.A. and 98% for the quantitative Turbiquant at a cut-off level equal to the detection limit. Using different cut-off levels a sensitivity of 100% for proximal DVT and for proximal as well as distal DVT could be obtained for NycoCard, IL DD, Liatest, Tinaquant and VIDAS D-Dimer assays with specificities that ranged from 31% (NycoCard) to 71% (VIDAS) for proximal DVT and from 12% (NycoCard) to 47% (IL DD) for overall DVT. At a cut-off level equal to the upper limit of the reference range only Tinaquant and VIDAS showed a sensitivity of 100% for proximal as well as for distal DVT with a specificity of 39% and 41% respectively.The results of this study suggest that the VIDAS and Tinaquant D-Dimer assays have the highest sensitivity for the exclusion of DVT in outpatients. In outpatients that have a low or moderate pretest probability for DVT, these tests may be used in management studies where anticoagulation is withheld on the basis of D-Dimer testing alone.

The Relationship Between D-Dimer Level, Venous Valvular Reflux and Development of the Post-Thrombotic Syndrome after Deep Venous Thrombosis.

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 1821-1821 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Latella ◽  
Sylvie Desmarais ◽  
Susan Kahn ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Venous Thrombosis ◽  
Deep Venous Thrombosis ◽  
Subsequent Development ◽  
Standardized Assessments ◽  
Post Thrombotic Syndrome ◽  
Ultrasound Assessment ◽  
Recurrent Vte ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
D Dimer

Abstract Background: The pathophysiology of the post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) is postulated to involve persistent venous thrombosis and valvular reflux. We prospectively studied if d-dimer levels or valvular reflux were associated with subsequent development of the PTS after objectively confirmed deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Methods: Consecutive patients with objectively diagnosed acute symptomatic DVT were recruited at 8 hospital centres in Quebec and Ontario, Canada. Patients attended study visits at Baseline, 1, 4, 8, 12, and 24 months. Blood was taken to measure d-dimer (VIDAS d-dimer; cut off &lt;500 ug/L) at the 4 month visit. A standardized ultrasound assessment for popliteal venous valvular reflux was performed at the 12 month visit. Standardized assessments for PTS (using Villalta scale) were performed at each follow-up visit. Subjects were classified as having developed PTS if the ipsilateral Villalta score was &gt;5 on at least 2 visits starting at the 4 month visit or later or was &gt;5 at the final follow-up visit. Statistical analyses assessed associations between d-dimer level, ipsilateral reflux and PTS. Results: 387 patients were recruited and followed. Mean age was 56 years and 51% were male. PTS developed in 45% of patients. Mean d-dimer was significantly higher in patients who developed PTS compared with those who did not (712.0 vs. 444.0 ug/L; p= 0.02). In logistic regression analyses adjusted for age and warfarin use at the time of d-dimer determination, d-dimer levels significantly predicted PTS (p=0.03). Ipsilateral venous valvular reflux was more frequent in patients with moderate/severe PTS than in patients with no PTS or mild PTS (65% vs. 40% vs. 43%, respectively; p=0.013). Finally, mean d-dimer was higher in patients who developed recurrent VTE during follow-up (n=31) than in those who did not (1126.8 vs. 514.9 ug/L; p=0.05), and d-dimer was an independent predictor of recurrent VTE (p=0.04) after adjustment for other known predictors of recurrence. Conclusion: D-dimer levels measured 4 months after DVT are associated with subsequent development of PTS and are predictive of VTE recurrence. Venous valvular reflux was associated with moderate/severe PTS. Further studies are required to assess whether d-dimer or valvular reflux may be useful in determining which patients are most at risk of developing PTS or severe PTS and who may thus benefit from preventive strategies.

Investigations into the Clinical Utility of Latex D-Dimer in the Diagnosis of Deep Venous Thrombosis

1993 ◽  
Vol 69 (01) ◽  
pp. 008-011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cedric J Carter ◽  
D Lynn Doyle ◽  
Nigel Dawson ◽  
Shauna Fowler ◽  
Dana V Devine
Keyword(s):  
Venous Thrombosis ◽  
Deep Venous Thrombosis ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Clinical Utility ◽  
Rapid Test ◽  
Fibrin Degradation Product ◽  
Current Form ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
D Dimer

SummaryThe serial use of non-invasive tests has been shown to be a safe method of managing outpatients who are suspected of having lower limb deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Objective testing has shown that the majority of these outpatients do not have venous thrombosis. A rapid test to exclude DVT in these patients, without the need for expensive and inconvenient serial non-invasive vascular testing, would have practical and economic advantages.Studies measuring the fibrin degradation product D-dimer using enzyme-linked immunoassays (EIA) in patients with veno-graphically proven DVT suggest that it should be possible to exclude this condition by the use of one of the rapid latex bead D-dimer tests.We have examined 190 patients with suspected DVT using both a latex and an EIA D-dimer assay. The latex D-dimer test used in this study was negative in 7 of the 36 proven cases of DVT. This sensitivity of only 80% is not sufficient to allow this type of assay, in its current form, to be used as an exclusion test for DVT. The same plasma samples were tested with an EIA assay. This information was used to mathematically model the effects of selecting a range of D-dimer discriminant cut off points for the diagnosis of DVT. These results indicate that 62% of suspected clinically significant DVT could have this diagnosis excluded, with a 98% sensitivity, if the rapid latex or equivalent D-dimer test could be reformulated to measure less than 185 ng/ml of D-dimer.

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