Prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia in vascular disease: comparative study of thrombotic venous disease vis-à-vis occlusive arterial disease

Studies on hyperhomocysteinemia in vascular occlusive disease have included mostly patients with arterial occlusion. However, more recent studies have included cases of venous occlusive disease as well. Our present study is aimed at comparing the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia in venous occlusive disease vis-à-vis arterial occlusive disease in the North Indian urban population. Homocysteine was estimated by chemiluminescent immunoassay in 205 normal controls and 536 patients, 244 presenting with arterial occlusion and 292 with venous thrombotic disease. The mean homocysteine in patients with arterial occlusion was 21.79 +/- 0.09 micromol/L (mean +/- standard error of measurement), in patients with venous thrombosis was 25.53 +/- 0.1 micromol/L, and in controls was 11.33 +/- 0.18 micromol/L. The prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia (> 15 micromol/L) was 56.38% in arterial occlusive disease and 54.64% in venous thrombosis. In patients with peripheral vascular occlusive disease, patients with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) had the highest mean homocysteine level (25.51 micromol/L), which was even higher (32.14 micromol/L) when associated with pulmonary embolism (PE). There is a high prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia in arterial and venous occlusive disease. Hence, in all patients with vascular occlusive disease, hyperhomocysteinemia should be elucidated and treated. In addition, long-term follow-up is required to ascertain whether the reduction in homocysteine decreases the thrombotic events and whether homocysteine levels can actually be of prognostic or predictive value in cases of DVT with PE.     

Thrombosis in unusual sites of the lower extremity veins

BACKGROUND: Thrombosis in unusual locations in the lower extremity veins has not been assessed. These veins are not imaged routinely and therefore information about them is lacking. METHODS: This study was designed to evaluate the natural history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in unusual sites. Patients with DVT in all thigh veins but the femoral vein were included. Patients with thrombi in any other vein in the first examination and those with history of DVT were excluded. Duplex ultrasound (DU) examination was performed to exclude thrombosis in the lower extremity in patients with signs and symptoms of venous thromboembolism and also in high-risk, asymptomatic patients. All veins from the distal external iliac vein to the lower calf were imaged. The deep femoral, femoropopliteal, lateral thigh, sciatic, and muscular thigh veins were examined. These patients were followed at 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, and yearly thereafter, for thrombus propagation, resolution, and reflux. RESULTS: Among the 15,850 DU performed in the vascular laboratory at Loyola University Medical Center, in a 10-year period to rule out DVT, 2568 (16.2%) were positive and 14 cases (7 males, 0.54% among the patients with DVT and 0.088% among the entire population) involved thromboses in unusual locations. Ten cases involved the left lower extremity and four the right. The unusual DVT cases were associated with medical and surgical conditions or were idiopathic in 11 patients, whereas three had Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS). The veins involved in the first group of patients were the deep femoral (8), the femoropopliteal (2), and the deep external pudendal (1). The patients with KTS had involvement of muscular thigh veins (1), and the lateral thigh vein and the sciatic vein (2). Thrombi propagation with extension to the common femoral vein was seen in four of the 14 patients: two from the deep femoral vein, one from the femoropopliteal vein, and one from the deep external pudendal vein. There were two incidences of pulmonary embolism (PE) one of which was fatal. At final follow-up, two patients developed recurrent DVT and nine had signs and symptoms of chronic venous disease. CONCLUSIONS: The involvement of the studied veins in DVT is extremely rare. Thrombosis in these veins can follow the natural course of thrombosis in the more usual locations and is associated with lethal incidences of PE. Therefore, the association of these veins with all the grave sequelae of thromboembolic disease suggests that inclusion of these veins in routine lower extremity duplex scans would be beneficial.     

全髋关节置换术后深静脉血栓发生的随机对照研究

目的 通过随机对照研究,探讨全髋关节置换术后深静脉血栓形成的发生率和预防措施.方法 2007年5月至2008年12月行全髋关节置换术的141例患者,男53例,女88例;年龄17～86岁,平均(63.20±13.78)岁.根据是否使用低分子肝素随机分成抗凝组(82例)和非抗凝组(59例),术后均行患肢深静脉顺行性造影,明确血栓发生的部位、大小及数量.诊断标准根据1972年Rabinov和Paulin提出的诊断标准,结合国内吕厚山的相关经验进行统一诊断.根据下肢血栓的部位将血栓分为中央型、周围型和混合性血栓.结果 全髋关节置换术后深静脉血栓形成的发生率为32.62%(46例),其中中央型1例,混合型2例,周围型43例.临床症状有小腿后侧疼痛,沉重或紧张,足和踝关节周围轻度肿胀.临床体征有肌肉压痛、Homans征或Neuhof征阳性.将症状和体征都作为临床依据,其中无临床依据者共34例,占73.9%.抗凝组(82例)和非抗凝组(59例)深静脉血栓形成发生率的差异无统计学意义.结论 采用数字化下肢深静脉造影技术能准确地发现全髋关节置换术后深静脉血栓形成,临床症状与其无直接关联,低分子肝素抗凝后虽能降低深静脉血栓形成的发生率,但差异无统计学意义.     

上肢创伤骨折术前彩色多普勒超声筛查深静脉血栓的意义

目的:探讨上肢创伤骨折术前行血管彩色多普勒超声(color Doppler flow imaging,CDFI)筛查上肢深静脉血栓的意义。方法:回顾性分析2009年1月至2011年12月因创伤致上肢桡尺以上骨折入院拟行切开复位术的1200例患者,男833例,女367例;年龄20～87岁,平均(41.94±15.41)岁。所有患者入院时伤肢肿胀、疼痛,入院后立即对伤肢行夹板外固定等治疗。伤肢肿胀好转后3～10d,拟行骨折复位术前1d,行CDFI检查患者上肢静脉血管,了解上肢深静脉血栓发生情况,分析血栓发生与性别、年龄及骨折部位的关系,并对深静脉血栓患者是否合并糖尿病、高血压、高血脂进行回顾性分析。结果:1200例上肢创伤骨折患者术前经CDFI检查,证实并发DVT9例,血栓发生率为0.75%。血栓发生率女性高于男性(P<0.01);30岁以上年龄组有发生血栓的风险;肱骨段以上骨折患者血栓发生率远高于桡尺骨折;9例血栓患者1例合并高血压、高血脂,1例合并糖尿病,7例无高血压、高血脂及糖尿病。结论:上肢创伤骨折有发生深静脉血栓风险,对上肢创伤骨折患者在有条件的医院术前均应行CDFI筛查上肢DVT,对维护医疗安全、降低医疗纠纷及保障患者生命安全有重要意义。     

PRKAA2基因单核苷酸多态性与骨科术后深静脉血栓的相关性研究

背景：腺苷酸活化蛋白激酶α2亚基（AMPKα2）被证实参与调控血小板的活化过程,并可能通过调控肌细胞形态与功能影响血栓的发生、发展。目的：探索AMPKα2的编码基因PRKAA2单核苷酸多态性（rs2143749）与骨科术后深静脉血栓（DVT）的相关性。方法：共收集828例骨科手术患者,其中DVT组255例,术后发生DVT;非DVT组573例,术后未发生DVT。分析828例患者rs2143749的基因型和等位基因频率,比较DVT组与非DVT组基因型和等位基因频率的差异。结果：DVT组与非DVT组患者中rs2143749的基因型和等位基因频率无显著性差异（P〉0.05）。结论：PRKAA2单核苷酸多态性（rs2143749）与骨科术后DVT无相关性。     

弹力绷带加压包扎联合低分子肝素预防老年人股骨转子间骨折术后深静脉血栓形成的疗效观察

目的探讨弹力绷带加压包扎联合低分子肝素(low molecular weight heparin, LMWH)预防老年人股骨转子间骨折术后下肢深静脉血栓形成(deep vein thrombosis, DVT)的疗效。方法回顾性分析西安交通大学医学院附属红会医院创伤骨科2016年3月至2018年1月收治的150例老年股骨转子间骨折病人的临床资料,所有病人手术前后均使用LMWH抗凝预防血栓形成,根据术后是否使用弹力绷带加压包扎分为观察组和对照组。观察组72例,其中男29例,女43例,年龄为(75.83±7.01)岁(65~87岁)。对照组78例,其中男30例,女48例,年龄为(74.77±7.55)岁(65~89岁)。病人骨折部位均采用闭合复位股骨近端防旋髓内钉治疗,术后第1、3、5天行双下肢静脉B超检查(观察组拆除弹力绷带后行双下肢静脉B超检查),记录并比较两组的DVT发生率及并发症情况。结果两组病人术后第1、3、5天的DVT发生率比较,差异均无统计学意义(P均>0.05);观察组共发生DVT 8例,发生率为11.11%,对照组19例发生DVT,发生率为24.36%,两组DVT总发生率比较,差异有统计学意义(χ^2=4.452,P=0.035);两组间术后下肢肿胀、皮下瘀斑、注射LMWH部位血肿发生率的差异均无统计学意义(P均>0.05)。结论弹力绷带加压包扎双下肢联合LMWH可降低老年股骨转子间骨折术后DVT发生率,简单、易行,值得临床推广。     

股骨颈骨折对人工髋关节术后深静脉血栓形成影响的病例对照研究

目的:探讨股骨颈骨折是否为髋部人工关节术后DVT的危险因素。方法:检索自2005年1月至2010年7月于北京协和医院接受人工髋关节手术的患者,排除不适合纳入研究病例,其余为候选病例。候选病例均在术前经B超检查除外DVT,在围手术期接受了规范的预防DVT治疗。对术后出现DVT或肺栓塞(PE)症状、体征者,通过相应影像学检查进行确诊。选取术后发生症状性DVT的患者作为病例组,以年龄、性别、体重作为匹配条件选取对照组病例。在病例组和对照组中,以股骨颈骨折为暴露因素,计算比值比(OR)并比较其暴露率,验证其关联强度。结果:在670例接受人工髋关节手术的患者中,408例为候选病例。其中13例术后发生症状性DVT作为病例组,男4例,女9例,平均年龄77岁(57～91岁),全部为股骨颈骨折患者。对照组52例中男18例,女34例,平均年龄76.98岁(57～91岁);其中39例因股骨颈骨折接受手术。病例组中股骨颈骨折的暴露率为100%(13/13),对照组为75%(39/52),2组暴露率差异无统计学意义。结论:尚不能认为股骨颈骨折是髋部人工关节术后症状性DVT的独立危险因素。股骨颈骨折的流行病学特征决定了其患病人群既是DVT的高危人群,也是接受人工髋关节手术的主要人群。人工髋关节手术可以降低股骨颈骨折的DVT风险,与手术本身的DVT风险增加相平衡,故股骨颈骨折患者术后DVT风险较非股骨颈骨折患者并未显著升高。     

Deep venous thrombosis after posterior spinal surgery

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective clinical study using venography to evaluate deep venous thrombosis after posterior spinal surgery. OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate the prevalence of deep venous thrombosis after posterior spinal surgery with no prophylaxis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There have been few studies about the occurrence of deep venous thrombosis after spinal surgery in which venography was used for screening. METHODS: Of the enrolled 134 patients undergoing posterior spinal surgery, 110 (82.1%) were examined with complete surveillance for deep venous thrombosis by venography. There were 64 males and 46 females. The average age at operation was 59.0 years (range, 14-86 years). The levels of the operation were cervical in 54, thoracic in 7, and lumbar in 49. All procedures were performed with patients under general anesthesia. Neither mechanical methods nor anticoagulation medications were used for prophylaxis against thromboembolism. Bilateral ascending venography was performed within 14 days after surgery. RESULTS: There were no patients with clinical signs of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. However, 17 patients (15.5%) showed venographic evidence of deep venous thrombosis, of whom 16 had distal thrombi, and only one had a proximal thrombus. Deep venous thrombosis was venographically evident in 3 (5.6%) of 54 patients who underwent cervical procedures, and it was evident in 13 (26.5%) of 49 patients who underwent lumbar procedures. This difference was statistical significant (chi2 test, P = 0.003). Statistical comparison between patients who did and did not have deep venous thrombosis showed that age was statistically significant (Mann-Whitney test; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of deep venous thrombosis after posterior spinal surgery is higher than generally recognized. Therefore, further study is necessary to clarify the appropriate method for screening and the effect of prophylaxis against thromboembolism after spinal surgery.     

Duplex scanning in the diagnosis of acute deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremity

In a prospective study the value of duplex scanning in the diagnosis of acute femoro-popliteal thrombosis was compared to conventional contrast venography (CV) as a gold standard. A total of 126 legs in 117 patients suspected of having deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) were examined with both methods. CV and duplex scanning were diagnostic in 98.5 and 97%, respectively. Femoro-popliteal thrombosis was present in 64 legs (prevalence 54%). The sensitivity and specificity of duplex scanning were 90.6% and 94.6%, respectively. A marked improvement in sensitivity from 83.3 to 97% and overall accuracy from 88.7 to 96% was noticed between the first and second half of the study period. Of the individual duplex criteria in the diagnosis of DVT, abnormal vessel wall compressibility was the most accurate. The Doppler measurements however allow evaluation of venous areas difficult to assess with B-mode and add discrimination between partial or total vein occlusion. Duplex scanning is more accurate compared to CV in grading the anatomical extent of thrombosis. Agreement between venography and duplex scanning was found in 75% of the vein segments, in about 20% CV suggested more thrombus formation compared to duplex scanning. Thrombus in the deep femoral vein was documented by duplex scanning in 24 patients including two cases of isolated deep femoral vein thrombosis. Venography failed to visualise the deep femoral vein with sufficient diagnostic accuracy in 88% of the patients vs. 8.5% with duplex scanning. Duplex scanning is an accurate non-invasive test in the diagnosis of acute femoro-popliteal thrombosis and superior to CV in the detection of non-occlusive and deep femoral vein thrombosis.     

床旁超声在股骨颈骨折患者围手术期下肢深静脉血栓筛查中的作用

目的探讨床旁超声在老年股骨颈骨折患者血栓筛查的应用价值。 方法回顾性收集2016年1月至2017年3月南京大学医学院附属鼓楼医院运动医学与成人重建外科收治的股骨颈骨折患者,术前常规用床旁超声行双下肢深静脉检查,观察血管内径、血栓部位、血栓回声以及血流情况。所有术前血栓患者于术后行常规随访观察。 结果共纳入135例患者,男性45例,女性90例;平均年龄（76±8）岁,平均身体质量指数为（22±3）kg/m²。术前共发现血栓45例,其中近端血栓7例,远端血栓38例。根据血栓累及部位,其中累及髂静脉1例,股静脉4例,腘静脉4例,腓静脉5例,胫后静脉3例,肌间静脉血栓40例。13例血栓患者暂停手术并接受治疗,治疗期间彩超隔日观察血栓溶解情况,其中经治疗好转10例,血栓无变化2例,加重1例,2例在术前置入下腔静脉滤器。术后彩超观察中,3例术前血栓患者在术后观察中发现进展至其他静脉,均及时接受抗凝治疗并通过床旁彩超随访,未见有血栓脱落以及肺栓塞形成。 结论床旁超声可用于股骨颈骨折患者血栓的诊断、监测及随访。     

不同治疗方法对下肢深静脉血栓发生肺栓塞影响的对比研究

目的 对比不同治疗方法对下肢深静脉血栓形成发生肺栓塞的影响.方法 回顾性分析2002年8月至2008年6月201例下肢深静脉血栓形成患者,男性97例,女性104例;年龄24～83岁,平均60.4岁.其中血栓发生于左侧肢体174例,右侧24例,双侧3例.所有患者发病≤7 d,入院时无肺栓塞,且均获得随访.按治疗方法分为:单独溶栓抗凝组,手术取栓后溶栓抗凝组及置入下腔静脉滤器后溶栓抗凝组.分别计算各组住院期间和随访期间3组肺栓塞的发生率.结果 单独溶栓抗凝组住院期间有症状肺栓塞发生率为2.8%(3/107),下腔静脉滤器组、手术组无肺栓塞发生,3组间差异无统计学意义(P=0.425).出院后随访6～72个月,平均24个月.随访期间单独溶栓抗凝治疗组及手术取栓组无肺栓塞发生,下腔静脉滤器组肺栓塞发生率为2.4%(1/42)且死于肺栓塞,3组间差异无统计学意义(P=0.656).结论 三种治疗方法对下肢深静脉血栓形成、发生有症状肺栓塞的影响并无差异,下腔静脉滤器的置入应严格掌握适应证.     

Recent Korean perspective of deep vein thrombosis after total knee arthroplasty

This prospective study was performed on 311 consecutive knees in 227 patients for total knee arthroplasty. The aim was to assess the recent incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after total knee arthroplasty without chemoprophylaxis in Koreans, the efficacy of plasma d-dimer levels as a screening test, and the associated risk factors. Deep vein thrombosis was found in 79 knees (26.60%). There were 9 cases (3.03%) of proximal DVT, 70 cases (23.57%) of distal DVT, and no symptomatic pulmonary embolism. Although this cohort had limited number of patients by a single surgeon, there is still low incidence of proximal DVT in Koreans with rare pulmonary embolism occurrence compared with those of the Western. High postoperative d-dimer levels were correlative, but no appropriate cutoff value was found. Obesity was a significant associated risk factor.     

切开复位内固定治疗膝关节后交叉韧带止点撕脱骨折病人围术期深静脉血栓的发生规律

目的探讨后正中入路齿状垫片空心钉治疗膝关节后交叉韧带止点撕脱骨折病人围术期下肢深静脉血栓形成(deep venous thrombosis,DVT)的发生规律。方法前瞻性分析2014年1月至2017年12月收治的膝关节后交叉韧带止点撕脱骨折病人58例,其中男48例,女10例;年龄为18~64岁,平均33.5岁。按Meyers McKeever分型:2型16例,3型30例,4型12例。所有病人均采用后正中入路齿状垫片空心钉固定韧带止点撕脱骨折块。分别在术前、术后进行双下肢静脉超声判断DVT的发生情况,分析其发生规律。结果14例(24.14%,14/58)术前发现DVT,其中远端血栓8例,近端血栓4例,混合血栓2例;术后DVT发生率增加至36.21%(21/58),其中11例远端血栓,7例近端血栓(其中5例为腘静脉血栓),3例混合血栓。7例术前无血栓病人中在术后4例出现远端血栓,2例出现近端血栓,1例出现混合血栓;1例术前为远端血栓的病人在术后变化为近端血栓;其中有50例病人术前、术后血栓未发生变化(37例无血栓病人,7例远端血栓,4例近端血栓,2例混合血栓)。结论膝关节后交叉韧带止点撕脱骨折病人术前及术后血栓形成均以远端血栓为主,术后DVT发生率有所增加。使用后正中入路齿状垫片空心钉治疗膝关节后交叉韧带止点撕脱骨折,可以获得牢固的固定,在术中暴露时应轻柔操作,降低对腘静脉的牵拉损伤,减少下肢静脉血栓的发生。     

Duplex scanning versus venography as a screening examination in total hip arthroplasty patients

Combined B-mode/Doppler (duplex) scanning and venography were compared in routine perioperative screening for proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in 158 total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients. Preoperative scans were performed in the first 60 patients; the low preoperative prevalence of 2% for proximal DVT was thought not to warrant routine preoperative scanning. Postoperatively, duplex scanning had a sensitivity of 79%, a specificity of 98%, and an accuracy of 97% when venography was considered as the gold standard. The postoperative incidence of proximal DVT was 12% in this group of THA patients treated with mechanical and pharmacologic prophylaxis. Including calf vein thrombosis, 30% had DVT postoperatively. This study demonstrates the efficacy of duplex scanning for diagnosing proximal DVT and describes an effective noninvasive method of screening THA patients for the presence of proximal DVT.     

手术取栓联合腔内介入治疗急性深静脉血栓的临床分析

目的 总结手术取栓联合腔内介入治疗急性髂股深静脉血栓(DVT)的临床经验.方法 2008年10月至2010年12月,15例急性DVT患者接受手术取栓联合同侧髂静脉腔内支架植入术.男性6例,女性9例;年龄36～71岁,平均57.4岁.DVT位于左股、髂及下腔静脉内2例,双侧髂静脉1例,其余12例均在左髂股静脉.所有患者表现患肢明显肿胀,其中12例伴有患肢疼痛.DVT发病时间平均为3.3 d.诱发DVT的原因包括外科手术6例,DVT复发2例,其余7例病因不清.并发症包括消化道出血1例,胃溃疡1例,高血压3例,脑梗死1例.取栓之前均先经右股静脉穿刺植入下腔静脉滤器(包括1例双髂静脉血栓患者),取栓之后术中造影均发现髂静脉受压致重度狭窄或完全闭塞,均先行球囊血管成形后植入自膨式支架.结果 术中造影证实髂静脉压迫综合征12例,取栓后残留狭窄3例.共植入18枚自膨式支架,手术成功率15/15,30 d病死率为0;1例术后伤口出现血肿,保守治疗后痊愈.12例获得随访,随访时间为2～26个月,平均13.3个月.所有患者疼痛消失,仅2例表现为活动后患肢轻度肿胀.所有患者均未出现血栓复发.结论 手术取栓联合腔内介入治疗急性DVT安全有效,早期临床结果满意,并发症发生率低.     

手术取栓联合腔内介入治疗急性深静脉血栓的临床分析

目的 总结手术取栓联合腔内介入治疗急性髂股深静脉血栓(DVT)的临床经验.方法 2008年10月至2010年12月,15例急性DVT患者接受手术取栓联合同侧髂静脉腔内支架植入术.男性6例,女性9例;年龄36～71岁,平均57.4岁.DVT位于左股、髂及下腔静脉内2例,双侧髂静脉1例,其余12例均在左髂股静脉.所有患者表现患肢明显肿胀,其中12例伴有患肢疼痛.DVT发病时间平均为3.3 d.诱发DVT的原因包括外科手术6例,DVT复发2例,其余7例病因不清.并发症包括消化道出血1例,胃溃疡1例,高血压3例,脑梗死1例.取栓之前均先经右股静脉穿刺植入下腔静脉滤器(包括1例双髂静脉血栓患者),取栓之后术中造影均发现髂静脉受压致重度狭窄或完全闭塞,均先行球囊血管成形后植入自膨式支架.结果 术中造影证实髂静脉压迫综合征12例,取栓后残留狭窄3例.共植入18枚自膨式支架,手术成功率15/15,30 d病死率为0;1例术后伤口出现血肿,保守治疗后痊愈.12例获得随访,随访时间为2～26个月,平均13.3个月.所有患者疼痛消失,仅2例表现为活动后患肢轻度肿胀.所有患者均未出现血栓复发.结论 手术取栓联合腔内介入治疗急性DVT安全有效,早期临床结果满意,并发症发生率低.

Abstract：

Objective To evaluate the clinical outcome of surgical venous thrombectomy and simultaneous stenting in patients with acute, symptomatic iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis ( DVT) .Methods From October 2008 to December 2010, a total of 15 patients with acute symptomatic DVT underwent combined surgical venous thrombectomy and endovascular stenting in ipsilateral iliac vein. There were 6 male and 9 female patients, with a mean age of 57. 4 years ( ranging from 36 to 71 years) . All patients underwent Duplex ultrasonography for diagnosis of DVT. The location of thrombosis was femoroiliocaval vein in 2 cases, bilateral iliac vein in 1 case and left iliofemoral vein in 12 cases. All patients had leg swelling and 12 cases had severe leg pain. The mean time of symptomatic DVT occurring at operation was 3. 3 d. The factors related to DVT were operation in 6 cases, DVT reoccur in 2 cases. Coexist diseases were digestive tract bleeding in 1 case, gastric ulcer in 1 case, hypertension in 3 cases and 1 case had cerebral infarction. The inferior vena cava filter was inserted before thrombectomy, iliac vein compression and residual stensosis were treated with a self-expandable stent after thrombectomy. Results Intraoperative venography showed severe venous stenosis in all patients including 80% of iliac vein compression syndrome, 18 self-expandable stents were inserted successfully, the procedural successful rate was 100% , the 30-day mortality rate was 0. One case was suffered from hematoma at incision after operation.3 patients were lost during follow-up. Median follow-up was 10. 3 months ( ranging from 2 to 26 months). There was no case of re-thrombosis. Leg pain was disappeared in all cases and only 2 patients showed slight leg swelling after excise. Conclusion Combined surgical thrombectomy and endovascular treatment for patients with acute symptomatic iliofemoral venous thrombosis is an effective and safe technique with low morbidity and good clinical results.     

Incidence and clinical characteristics of perioperative pulmonary thromboembolism under the use of intermittent pneumatic compression as a preventive measure

Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is a crucial complication characterized by rapid onset and a high mortality rate. There are few reports concerning perioperative incidence of PTE and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) among Japanese population. All surgical patients excluding young patients for minor surgery were equipped with calf- or thigh-length intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) device as a DVT preventive method during the period of immobility. Incidence and clinical characteristics of perioperative PTE and DVT under the use of IPC device were analyzed at Kobe University Hospital. One patient developed DVT and four patients developed PTE among the 6500 surgical cases. All patients with DVT or PTE were 66 years or older, and all patients were diagnosed by computer tomography, venography and pulmonary angiography between 7 to 14 days after each operation. One patient was surgically treated by embolectomy and removal of intraarterial thrombus, and others were treated with thrombolysis, anticoagulants and placement of vena cava filters. For prevention of DVT and PTE, other preventive methods such as anticoagulants and prolonged application of IPC should be necessary.     

HIV/AIDS and the risk of deep vein thrombosis: a study of 45 patients with lower extremity involvement.

Many aspects of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) have been described in detail in the literature. However, there have been very few articles on the phenomenon of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the lower extremities of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS patients. The objective of this communication is to record the incidence of DVT in HIV/AIDS patients and the risks for development of embolic events and to emphasize the need for prevention and for the vigorous treatment of this complication. We conducted a retrospective review of HIV/AIDS-infected patients with DVT admitted to Mount Sinai School of Medicine/Cabrini Hospital in New York during the last 5 years. Analysis includes demographic data; risk factors for HIV/AIDS infection; associated medical problems; recent surgery; and laboratory findings including CD4 counts, platelet counts, prothrombin times, partial thromboplastin times, and plasma albumin levels; and image studies. From January 1995 to January 2000 4752 HIV/AIDS-infected patients were admitted. Of those admitted to the hospital 45 (0.95%) were found to have DVT. There were 36 males and nine females (mean age 43 years). Of the 45 patients 38 had infectious complications and 13 developed a malignancy. The distribution of the thromboses were the femoral vein in 23 patients, the popliteal vein in 20 patients, and the iliofemoral system in 2 patients. Twelve patients had recurrent DVT and three patients developed a pulmonary embolism. HIV/AIDS infection is a considerable risk for development of DVT in the lower extremity. Statistically DVT in HIV/AIDS is approximately 10 times greater than in the general population. Emphasis upon prevention and vigorous treatment of DVT is recommended.     

Surveillance with duplex ultrasound in traumatic spinal cord injury on initial admission to rehabilitation

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) by surveillance duplex ultrasound in the traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) population on admission to rehabilitation. DESIGN: Retrospective sequential case series. SETTING: Midwest regional, university-based, Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities-accredited acute rehabilitation center. METHODS: Charts of all patients with traumatic SCI admitted and discharged from January 1, 1996 through December 31, 1998 were reviewed. Preadmission data were collected on demographics, severity of injury, and DVT prophylaxis information, along with rehabilitation duplex ultrasound results and incidence of thromboembolic events. RESULTS: Ninety-two participants met the inclusion criteria. There were 68 men and 24 women with a mean age on admission of 32.4 years. On admission, 45 participants (49%) were classified as tetraplegic and 47 (51%) were classified as paraplegic; 63 (69%) had motor-complete lesions and 29 (31%) had motor-incomplete lesions. Of all the participants, 8 (8.7%) were found to have DVT on admission to rehabilitation. There were no statistically significant differences among participants with regard to age, sex, level of injury, or completeness of injury, when comparing those participants with DVT on admission, those without DVT on admission, and those with thromboembolic events diagnosed later in their hospitalization. Of the 84 participants who had negative duplex ultrasounds on admission, 4 individuals (4.8%) were found to have DVT and 4 (4.8%) had pulmonary emboli subsequently. In these 84 participants, DVT prophylaxis with low-molecular-weight heparin was found to be more effective than was adjusted-dose heparin in preventing thromboembolic phenomenon. CONCLUSION: Incidence of DVT remains high despite prophylaxis in traumatic SCI patients. Two thirds of DVT diagnosed in rehabilitation was identified on admission and one third was diagnosed later. Duplex ultrasound is an effective and valuable tool that assists in the diagnosis of asymptomatic DVT in patients with traumatic SCI who are initiating in-patient rehabilitation.     

Plasma MMP and TIMP evaluation in patients with deep venous thrombosis: could they have a predictive role in the development of post‐thrombotic syndrome?

Post‐thrombotic syndrome (PTS) is a condition that can develop in about half of the patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of lower limbs. In the present study, we evaluated the expression of inflammatory biomarkers in the early phases of DVT and their correlation with the onset of PTS. Patients were enrolled after the first episode of DVT and were followed up for 1, 4, 8, 12 and 18 months. At each visit, blood sample was collected to evaluate plasma levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐1,‐2,‐3,‐7,‐8 and ‐9 MMP inhibitors, TIMP‐1,‐2, neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL) and cytokines TNF‐α and IL‐6. Analysis included 201 patients [86 males (42·79%) and 115 females (57·21%); average age 56 ± 7 years]. Of the 201 patients, 47 (23·38%; 21 males, 26 females) developed PTS during the follow‐up period. The control group was made up of 60 individuals without DVT (22 males and 38 females). High plasma levels of MMPs, NGAL and cytokines were recorded during the acute phase after DVT. Moreover, patients with PTS showed higher levels of MMP‐1 and MMP‐8 with respect to patients without PTS. There is a close relationship between DVT, the individual risk of PTS and specific biomarkers such as MMPs and other related molecules, which may help guide prevention and therapy based on the patient's individual risk profile, and has to be studied in future.