Deep venous thrombosis: longitudinal study with duplex US

Forty-nine patients with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the lower limb were studied with repeated duplex ultrasound (US) for at least 1 year or until the vein became normal at US. Standard anticoagulant therapy was given for 3 months. In 36 patients, the veins became normal within 1 year. The likelihood of normalization increased if the lesion was located in only one site, if the pelvic veins were unaffected, if the affected leg was the left one, if the initial clot was nonocclusive, if there was no history of DVT, and if the symptoms had lasted less than than 24 hours. The average time before normalization was shorter if the symptoms had lasted less than 24 hours, that is, 11 weeks versus 25 weeks (P less than .02). The rate of sequelae at 1 year was lower if the US scan was normal or showed regression at 3 months, 6% versus 83% (P less than .00005).     

Deep venous thrombosis: complete lower extremity venous US evaluation in patients without known risk factors--outcome study.

PURPOSE: To determine the diagnostic value of venous ultrasonography (US) that includes examination of calf veins in symptomatic patients suspected of having deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the lower extremities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of the prevalence of DVT included 977 consecutive patients with possible DVT but without known risk factors for DVT. Color flow and compression US were performed. The outcome was the frequency of overlooked, clinically important DVT after negative initial results from bilateral venous US of above- and below-the-knee veins. Patient records (904 patients), mailed questionnaires (61 patients), and telephone contacts (12 patients) were used to establish a diagnosis of clinically relevant DVT. RESULTS: The prevalence of DVT was 15% (142 of 977), with DVT in 15% (21 of 142) restricted to the below-the-knee veins. Follow-up (median, 34 months) in 835 patients with negative US findings showed one occurrence of venous thrombosis (superficial thrombophlebitis) during the first 3 months of follow-up. Three other cases of venous thrombosis occurred at 17, 18, and 48 months of follow-up but were believed not to be linked to the initial complaint. The incidence of overlooked DVT was 0% (95% CI, 0.0%, 0.4%). CONCLUSION: In patients without risk factors for DVT, a negative venous US study can help exclude the presence of clinically important DVT if the examination includes careful evaluation of the calf veins.     

MSCT静脉成像和超声诊断下肢静脉血栓的对比研究

目的:探讨多层螺旋CT静脉成像(MSCTV)和超声(US)对下肢静脉血栓形成的诊断价值。方法:将42例可疑下肢静脉血栓形成患者分别进行MSCT下肢静脉成像和US检查,并把检查结果进行对比分析。结果:42例患者中,MSCTV共发现栓子93处,US发现88处。下肢MSCTV和US对下肢静脉血栓的诊断结果无明显统计学差异(P>0.05),但本组中2例髂静脉、1例下腔静脉内栓子US均漏诊。结论:MSCTV和US对下肢静脉血栓形成均具有重要诊断价值,MSCTV对髂静脉、盆腔内深静脉血栓形成的诊断价值更大。     

急性下肢深静脉血栓形成腔内治疗的中远期疗效观察

目的：评估血管腔内治疗急性下肢深静脉血栓形成（DVT）的中远期疗效。 方法：选取2007年10月至2017年5月东莞市人民医院收治的180例下肢DVT患者,其中120例接受血管腔内治疗联合导管接触性溶栓治疗（介入组）;60例在足量抗凝治疗基础上,经患肢足背静脉局部溶栓（对照组）;所有患者出院后抗凝治疗2年;介入组26例患者停止抗凝后血栓复发,再次接受血管腔内治疗,其后终身抗凝治疗;比较两组的治疗效果、髂静脉通畅率及血栓后综合征（PTS）发生率。 结果：介入组的有效率明显优于对照组（100% vs. 86.7%）,差异有统计学意义（Z=113.679,P<0.05）;介入组治疗1、2、5、10年后,患侧髂静脉血管通畅率分别为89.2%、95%、84.6%、100%,远高于对照组的8.3%、5%、0%、0%;介入组PTS发生率（13.3%）明显低于单纯抗凝治疗组（46.7%）,差异有统计学意义。 结论：血管腔内治疗能有效提高DVT患者的治疗效果,降低PTS的发生率,血管腔内治疗急性DVT安全、有效。     

综合介入治疗左下肢深静脉血栓合并Cockett综合征临床分析

目的探讨急性左下肢深静脉血栓形成合并Cockett综合征的综合腔内介入治疗方法的应用价值。方法 2010年7月～2011年6月对57例左下肢急性深静脉血栓形成合并Cockett综合征患者采用下腔静脉滤器置入术、左下肢深静脉置管溶栓术及左髂静脉闭塞或狭窄段球囊扩张内支架术治疗,观察患者手术前后左下肢症状及体征,通过造影观察左下肢深静脉通畅情况。结果 57例患者均经下肢深静脉造影检查明确诊断,本组技术成功56例,患者下肢肿胀、疼痛等消失,盆腔侧枝循环消失。1例患者仅行抗凝治疗,下肢肿胀好转。治疗过程中患者未发生滤器、支架移位等情况,未发生血栓复发、肺动脉栓塞、出血并发症等。术后口服抗血小板药物至少3～6个月,随访2～12个月,11例患者左下肢肿胀,7例患者出现下肢静脉曲张,所有患者未发生下肢溃疡,6、12个月后复查造影无支架内阻塞病例。结论综合介入治疗左下肢深静脉血栓形成合并Cockett综合征微创、安全,术后口服抗凝药物可提高下肢深静脉通畅率,临床疗效确切。     

Optimal management strategy for use of compression US for deep venous thrombosis in symptomatic patients: a cost-effectiveness analysis

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The authors' purpose was to identify the optimal strategy for using compression ultrasonography (US) in patients suspected of having deep venous thrombosis (DVT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors developed a decision-analytic model representing the natural history of DVT and the benefits and risks of anticoagulation therapy. They evaluated six initial imaging strategies: (a) unilateral examination of the common femoral and popliteal veins; (b) unilateral examination of the common femoral, popliteal, and femoral veins; (c) bilateral examination of the common femoral and popliteal veins; (d) bilateral examination of the common femoral, popliteal, and femoral veins; (e) complete unilateral examination of the symptomatic leg (including calf veins); and (f) complete bilateral examination of both legs. RESULTS: For 65-year-old men with unilateral symptoms of DVT, the most effective strategy was bilateral examination of the common femoral and popliteal veins with anticoagulation therapy in patients with proximal DVT and follow-up bilateral examination of the common femoral and popliteal veins in patients without an initial diagnosis of DVT with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $39,000 per quality-adjusted life year gained. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that bilateral examination limited to the common femoral and popliteal veins, with follow-up bilateral examination limited to the common femoral and popliteal veins, was as cost-effective as other well-accepted medical interventions. The results were sensitive to the distribution of clot, diagnostic accuracy of compression US, and probability of bleeding with long-term morbidity.     

Ultrasonography in the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis of the legs

One hundred consecutive inpatients with clinically suspected deep venous thrombosis (DVT) were examined by US; the last 19 cases were studied also by means of color-Doppler US. In order to evaluate the method reliability, US results were compared with those obtained with contrast venography, which was performed on all patients. The studied region included the femoro-popliteal vein, while no attempt was made to image the calf veins, which are difficult to evaluate with US. In our series, venographic results were in substantial agreement with US findings, with 99% and 100% sensitivity and specificity, respectively. Diagnosis was based only on noncompressibility of the thrombotic vein, despite the absence of visible clots; pulsed Doppler information supported diagnosis by evaluating blood flow. Further diagnostic progress was provided by color-Doppler US, which allows flow lumen to be defined in color. US also allowed the detection of the conditions mimicking DVT, such as muscular ruptures, hematomas, popliteal cysts, or compressive tumors. In conclusion, US and color-Doppler US prove to be valid alternatives to contrast venography in the diagnosis of proximal DVT of the lower limbs.     

下肢静脉顺行性CO2 -DSA的临床应用

目的探索经足背静脉行下肢静脉CO2-DSA的可行性及效果。方法15例患者(15条患肢)，男9例，女6例，临床疑为下肢深静脉血栓形成8例，大隐静脉曲张6例，下肢深静脉血栓溶栓术后复查1例。分别用8号头皮针经足背静脉行下肢静脉CO2-DSA。结果12例造影可清晰显示下肢浅、深静脉及其交通支，血栓、血管狭窄的位置及范围，图像质量优；2例造影图像质量良；1例因脚背严重水肿，多次足背静脉穿刺未成功而致造影失败。术中3例无任何不适反应；11例出现下肢一过性不适，主要表现在足背静脉穿刺点处一过性胀痛，其中6例下肢深静脉血栓形成患者感觉明显，停止注射不适感即除；本组未出现重度不良反应或并发症患者。结论下肢静脉顺行性CO2-DSA安全、可行，能够满足临床下肢静脉疾病的诊断要求，尤其是对于髂静脉、下腔静脉的显示效果尤件。     

Demonstration of the renal venous system at routine nephroangiography. A comparison between metrizoate, metrizamide and ioxaglate

The demonstration of renal veins during routine nephroangiography was retrospectively investigated and blindly scored in 60 patients. Three different types of contrast media were used: one high-osmolar ionic monomeric (metrizoate) and two low-osmolar, the non-ionic monomeric (metrizamide) and the ionic monoacidic dimeric (ioxalate). The renal veins and the inferior vena cava were significantly better and more often demonstrated when ioxaglate was used compared with metrizoate and metrizmide. There was no significant difference between metrizoate and metrizamide. Following semiselective renal artery injection, the main renal veins were demonstrated with a diagnostically acceptable quality with ioxaglate in 76 per cent, with metrizamide in 40 per cent and with metrizoate in 29 per cent. On selective renal artery injection the demonstration of renal veins increased to 85 per cent with ioxaglate and remained unchanged with metrizmide (38%) and metrizoate (26%). Semiselective or selective nephroangiography with ioxaglate at an ordinary dose was in most patients sufficient to allow evaluation of renal vein involvement in disease, rendering high dose selective nephroangiography or selective nephrophlebography unnecessary. A slower diffusion rate of ioxaglate compared with metrizoate and metrizamide is considered to be the major explanation for the better demonstration of the renal veins.     

Lower limb contrast venography: a modified technique for use in thromboprophylaxis clinical trials for the accurate evaluation of deep vein thrombosis

Lower limb venography remains the imaging modality of choice for detection of asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in clinical trials of anticoagulant agents. A variety of techniques of venography have been described. Here, we describe a modified technique (the "King's" technique) developed to increase the overall adequacy of identification of lower limb veins and detection of small asymptomatic DVT. Essential elements include proper preparation of patients prior to their arrival in the radiology department, intermittent use of tourniquets to ensure complete and adequate deep vein filling, use of a consistent image acquisition sequence and visualization of all veins in at least two different planes. Use of this technique minimizes technical difficulties, provides improved patient through-put in "busy" fluoroscopy units and, ultimately, improves "off-site" levels of adjudication.     

Clinical utility of real-time compression ultrasonography for diagnostic management of patients with recurrent venous thrombosis.

In the diagnostic management of patients with clinically suspected recurrent deep-vein thrombosis (DVT), there are potential limitations to all available diagnostic techniques. Since venous abnormalities may persist for some time after an acute thrombosis, the usefulness of compression ultrasonography (US) for the detection of recurrent DVT may be jeopardized. We determined the rate of normalization of an abnormal compression US test of the popliteal and the common femoral veins in patients after a first episode of proximal DVT. In a cohort of 60 consecutive patients, the test result was normalized in only 29, 44, 54, and 60% of patients at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, respectively. The investigation shows that for the detection of recurrent DVT of the leg, real-time compression US (using the single criterion of compression of the common femoral and popliteal vein) is of limited value. Future studies need to be performed, using more subtle interpretation of the compression US result, by quantifying the extent of residual thrombus, which may increase the usefulness of this test in patients with recurrent symptoms.     

Ultrasonic assessment of abdominal venous return. II. Volume blood flow in the inferior vena cava and portal vein

Eighty-five patients subjected to routine heart catheterization, were examined with duplex scanning of the inferior vena cava and portal vein. Volume blood flow in the two veins was estimated and compared with Fick measured cardiac output and duplex measured flow in the lower thoracic aorta. Inferior vena caval and portal vein flow were found to comprise approximately 30 to 40 per cent and 20 per cent, respectively, of cardiac output, but with a large dispersion of individual percentages. A high correlation (r = 0.88) was found between the sum of inferior vena caval and portal vein flow and duplex measured flow in the lower thoracic aorta, the sum of flow in the two veins comprising approximately 90 per cent of lower thoracic aortic flow. It is concluded that duplex scanning seems to be a useful method in estimating volume blood flow in both the inferior vena cava and portal vein.     

Subcutaneous whole-body radionuclide venography using Tc-99m in vivo tagged red blood cells

PURPOSE: The accurate diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is essential to prevent its complications and to initiate appropriate treatment. Doppler ultrasound (DUS), contrast venography, and intravenous radionuclide venography have been used for many years to detect DVT. However, obtaining venous access in the foot for injection of contrast agent can be difficult. METHODS: The authors introduce the technique of subcutaneous radionuclide venography using Tc-99m in vivo tagged red blood cells and compare it with DUS, a widely used method. Sixty patients (120 lower extremities) underwent subcutaneous radionuclide venography and DUS. RESULTS: The concordance rate was 94% in the femoral veins and 95% in the popliteal veins. Subcutaneous radionuclide venography revealed 10 iliac vein thromboses and 2 inferior vena cava thromboses that were not detected by DUS. CONCLUSIONS: Subcutaneous radionuclide venography is a useful alternative method for detecting DVT. It is particularly valuable for evaluating DVT in the iliac veins and in the inferior vena cava.     

Outcome analysis of patients with normal compression US examinations

Prior studies have documented the accuracy of compression ultrasound (US) for use in evaluating patients with clinically suspected deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the lower extremity. A normal compression US examination is considered indicative of no thrombotic disease, and anticoagulant therapy is withheld. There are no long-term data supporting treatment decisions based solely on normal compression US results. The authors undertook a long-term (8-33-month) review of 1,111 normal compression US examinations performed on 1,022 patients. Outcome analysis obtained through review of imaging records, inpatient charts, and death certificates failed to document sequelae of untreated DVT in all but five patients with negative examinations. Three patients again presented with clinical symptoms of DVT that were subsequently documented with compression US, and two patients reportedly died of pulmonary embolism with no documentation of DVT several months after the initial negative study. Because of the clinical acceptance of this test and the subsequent increased demand for its use, compression US has quadrupled the yearly detection rate of DVT at the authors' institution. With the results of prior controlled studies and this favorable outcome analysis study, compression US is recommended as the diagnostic modality of choice for suspected DVT.     

Pathophysiology and diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis

Lower-limb deep venous thrombosis (DVT) affects between 1% to 2% of hospitalized patients. These thrombi disrupt the vascular integrity of the lower limbs and are the source of emboli that kill approximately 200,000 patients each year in the United States. The causes of thrombosis include vessel wall damage, stasis or low flow, and hypercoagulability. These factors favor clot formation by disrupting the balance of the opposing coagulative and fibrinolytic systems. The symptoms and signs of venous thrombosis are caused by obstruction to venous outflow, vascular inflammation, or pulmonary embolization. About 70% of patients referred for clinically suspected venous thrombosis, however, do not have the diagnosis confirmed by objective testing. Among the 30% who have venous thrombosis, about 85% have proximal vein thrombosis, and the remainder have thrombosis confined to the calf. Physicians cannot rely on signs and symptoms to make the diagnosis of DVT and must depend on imaging studies to guide treatment. Patients with proximal vein thrombosis who are inadequately treated have a 47% frequency of recurrent venous thromboembolism over 3 months. In contrast, clinically detectable recurrence occurs in less than 2% of patients with proximal vein thrombosis if an adequate anticoagulant response is achieved. Of the diagnostic procedures for DVT, venography is the only invasive test of proven value, and ultrasonographic (US) studies are the most commonly used noninvasive modaity. Other procedures are occasionally used to diagnose DVT, including impedance plethysmography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. US examinations are noninvasive, they are rapidly obtained, and they can be performed serially. In symptomatic patients, venous US is sensitive and specific for proximal DVT; however, US is insensitive to calf vein thrombosis and to asymptomatic DVT occurring after surgery. Patients with symptoms of recurrent DVT also can present a difficult diagnostic problem. Only about 20% to 30% of these individuals actually have the disease; the rest have symptoms arising from chronic venous insufficiency or from any of the causes of lower extremity pain. After an acute episode, up to 50% of patients have compression ultrasound abnormalities for 6 months that are indistinguishable from the original findings of DVT. Hence, there are a significant number of patients and clinical circumstances in which the diagnosis of DVT is difficult. 99mTc-radiolabeled peptides that target the molecular biology of thrombosis should aid in the management of the disease, particularly in asymptomatic patients at high risk, in patients with recurrent symptoms, in patients with active DVT in the calf and/or pelvis, and in patients with intermediate- or low-probability lung scans.     

Spiral CT venography of the lower extremities by injection via an arm vein in patients with leg swelling.

The purpose of this prospective study was to assess the role of spiral CT venography (CTV) via an arm vein injection in the detection of causes of leg swelling. 42 consecutive patients with leg swelling were studied with indirect spiral CTV and ultrasound (US). CT parameters were as follows: 5 mm beam collimation; 7-10 mm s(-1) table speed; and 2-3 mm reconstruction. Two consecutive spiral scans with a 40 s exposure time were performed from the pelvis to the knee. One bolus of 150 ml non-ionic contrast medium was injected at a rate of 3 ml s(-1) by a power injector via an arm vein. The delay times to the first and second scans were 120 s and 180 s, respectively. Spiral CTV demonstrated not only deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (n=12) but also other abnormalities (n=25). US showed DVT (n=10) and some other abnormalities (n=5). The sensitivity and specificity of spiral CTV for femoropopliteal DVT, as compared with US, were both 100%. Two cases of DVT in the left common-external iliac vein (iliac vein compression syndrome) detected by spiral CTV were not confirmed by US. We were able to evaluate DVT above the knee with this method. Indirect spiral CTV showed promise for the diagnosis of DVT and other soft tissue diseases in patients with leg swelling.     

Isolated pelvic deep venous thrombosis: relative frequency as detected with MR imaging

PURPOSE: To determine the relative frequency of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) isolated to the pelvic veins, as demonstrated with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The reports of 769 MR examinations performed from June 1993 through December 1999 in patients with suspected DVT were reviewed retrospectively. MR venography was performed by using a two-dimensional gradient-recalled-echo sequence (typically repetition time, 34 msec; echo time, 13 msec; flip angle, 60 degrees ). The presence of DVT was categorized by location in the pelvis, thigh, or calf. RESULTS: DVT was identified in 167 (21.7%) of the 769 MR examinations. Thirty-four (20.4%) of the 167 studies demonstrated DVT isolated to the pelvic veins. CONCLUSION: The relative frequency of isolated pelvic DVT detected with MR venography was higher than that reported in prior studies with ultrasonography (US) or ascending venography. MR venography should be performed in patients with suspected pelvic DVT or when clinical suspicion persists despite a negative US study.     

经动静脉双路径同步治疗深静脉血栓临床应用

目的：评价经动静脉双路径同步治疗下肢深静脉血栓（DVT）的疗效。方法回顾性分析37例下肢深静脉血栓溶栓治疗患者,在行下腔静脉滤器置入术后,其中16例患者行动静脉双路径同步溶栓及抗凝治疗。21例患者行单纯患肢静脉溶栓导管置入或患肢足背静脉溶栓术。结果随访37例患者均未出现大出血和致死性肺动脉栓塞等严重并发症,20例患者下肢DVT完全或大部分溶解,13例部分溶解,4例仍较多血栓,但深静脉主干基本出现,有较多侧枝循环。其中动静脉同步溶栓治疗中,完全或大部分溶解12例,单纯静脉溶栓完全或大部分溶解的有8例。结论经动静脉双路径同步治疗下肢深静脉血栓是一种安全可行、疗效好、操作相对简单的方法,较单纯静脉溶栓时间缩短,尿激酶用量减少,而且静脉完全溶解率升高。     

Influence of negative ultrasound findings on the management of in- and outpatients with suspected deep-vein thrombosis.

Real-time ultrasonography (US) was used as a single non-invasive method in the management of 174 patients (56 inpatients and 118 outpatients) with suspected deep-vein thrombosis (DVT). Therapeutic decisions were based on the results of ultrasonography alone. If the US examination was abnormal anticoagulant treatment was started. If the initial US examination was normal, no treatment was given and the patient underwent repeated testing and physical examination after 1 day, 7 days and 3 months. In the outpatient group, 1.3% of the ultrasonographic negative patients developed thromboembolic complications (95% confidence limits, 0.03-7.21%). None of the initial ultrasonographic negative patients developed proximal DVT after 1 day and 7 days. In the inpatient group, 10% of the ultrasonographic negative patients developed thromboembolic complications (95% confidence limits, 1.2-31.7%). In 18% of the ultrasonographic negative patients an alternative, unexpected diagnosis was obtained by ultrasound. The most frequent alternative diagnosis was a popliteal cyst. The results indicate that US alone appears to be a safe diagnostic method in the management of outpatients with suspected DVT. In the inpatient group further research is required for definite recommendations regarding a safe ultrasound follow-up schedule.     

超声引导下置管溶栓治疗下肢深静脉血栓

目的 探讨超声引导下经皮置管溶栓治疗下肢深静脉血栓形成(DVT)的临床应用价值.方法 自2009年9月至2011年9月共收治下肢DVT患者34例,均采用下腔静脉滤器置入后,患肢在超声引导下经皮置管,持续导管内给予溶栓药物尿激酶50 万u/d和肝素5 000 u/d,交替使用.其中2例患者合并下腔静脉血栓,采用经颈静脉途径释放下腔静脉滤器;2例患者采用大隐静脉置管;其余均采用经皮腘静脉置管.结果 所有患者均置管成功,放置溶栓导管5 ～ 7 d.27例患者术后下肢肿胀基本消失,活动能力明显改善.5例患者活动后仍有较明显乏力和沉重感.1例患者术后3个月复发,再次置管后好转.1例患者术后6个月复发合并健侧下肢DVT,采用外周血管溶栓治疗.所有患者均采用DSA了解溶栓情况,26例患者髂股静脉术后连续性通畅,8例患者阶段性通畅.结论 超声引导下经皮置管溶栓治疗具有创伤小、定位准确、药物剂量个人化以及溶栓率高等优点,是治疗DVT的有效方法.