Post-thrombotic symptoms after an isolated calf deep venous thrombosis

BACKGROUND: To study the outcome of an isolated calf deep venous thrombosis (DVT). METHODS: This retrospective study with 62 patients was established in Tampere University Hospital in Finland. In all cases a venographically confirmed calf deep venous thrombosis was detected 6-10 years earlier. Complete review of the patient records was conducted, and the initial phlebograms were also reviewed. Symptoms and signs of the post-thrombotic syndrome in both legs were assessed by means of a questionnaire. Frequency of the post-thrombotic symptoms and signs in both legs were studied. Degree of subjective symptoms, need for visits to medical care centres and the current use of compression therapy in patients with previous DVT were observed. In addition, the incidence of objectively verified recurrences was recorded. RESULTS: Pain (26%), edema (39%), and pigmentation (26%) were frequent in legs with DVT. In contralateral legs the reported frequencies were 23%, 26% and 15% (p>0.05), respectively. In legs with DVT the rate of asymptomatic patients was 37%, 46% had visited medical care centers, and 25% were using compression therapy currently. Recurrent DVT was observed in 13%. Etiology of DVT had no impact on frequency of recurrent events. CONCLUSIONS: Leg symptoms and recurrent events are quite common after calf DVT. The current use of compression therapy and visits to medical care centers are frequently reported. By means of a questionnaire study it is difficult to exclude other reasons for leg symptoms, and this should be noted in judging the RESULTS.