Our data show an apparent inflammatory response with highest measured concentrations of inflammatory markers on the day of admission and a subsequent decrease during the next days. This response supports the hypothesis that elevated inflammatory markers are a result rather than a cause of venous thrombosis.

The ability to predict severity of the post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) early after acute deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) is limited. The aim of our study was to examine the incidence of PTS prospectively and to evaluate the predictive value of non-invasive venous examinations shortly after DVT for the development of PTS. In 93 patients with DVT thrombosis score (TS), reflux, venous outflow resistance (VOR) and calf muscle pump dysfunction (CMP) were examined prospectively. After one, two and six years patients were evaluated for PTS using the clinical scale of the CEAP-classification (PTS present > or = 3 on a scale from 0 to 6). Area under the curves (AUC) were used to evaluate the predictive value of the non-invasive examinations at one and three months after diagnosis of DVT for future PTS. The cumulative incidence of PTS increased from 49% (32/65) after one year to 55% (36/65) and 56% (27/48) after two and six years, whereas the incidence of patients with PTS class 4 progressed from 20% after two years to 33% after six years. The prognostic value to predict PTS was highest for the combination of TS, VOR and reflux measured three months after diagnosis and showed an AUC of 0.77 (0.65-0.90) for PTS after one year. In conclusion, the incidence of PTS after DVT did not increase significantly after one year, whereas during longer follow-up the severity of PTS rose in patients with PTS. Moreover, measurement of TS, VOR and reflux three months after DVT could predict, with reasonable accuracy, the risk of PTS after one year of follow-up.

To cite this article: Roumen-Klappe EM, Janssen MCH, van Rossum J, Holewijn S, van Bokhoven MMJA, Kaasjager K, Wollersheim H, den Heijer M. Inflammation in deep vein thrombosis and the development of post-thrombotic syndrome: a prospective study. J Thromb Haemost 2009; 7: 582-7.Summary. Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether inflammatory markers (interleukin-6 [IL-6] and Creactive protein [CRP]) in the acute phase of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) are associated with elevated venous outflow resistance (VOR), thrombosis score (TS), reflux and the development of clinical post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). Methods: In 110 patients with a first DVT, plasma concentrations of IL-6 and CRP were determined on the day of admission. VOR, TS and reflux were measured 7 days, 1 and 3 months after diagnosis. After 1 year patients were evaluated for PTS using the Clinical, Etiologic, Anatomic and Pathophysiologic (CEAP) classification and Villalta scale. Results: Median levels of IL-6 and CRP were 7 pg mL )1 and 21 mg L )1, respectively. After 3 months, VOR was elevated in 33 patients (30%), TS in 33 (30%) and reflux in 57 (52%). Incidence of PTS was 36.7% using CEAP ‡ 3 and 35.4% using Villalta-scale ‡ 5. Elevated levels of IL-6 and CRP were related to higher outcomes of VOR after 3 months [relative risks (RR) 2.4 (95% CI 1.5-3.9) and 1.4 (1.1-3.3), respectively] and for IL-6 to TS [1.5 (1.1-2.1)]. For reflux no relation was found. After 90 days, elevated outcomes of VOR, TS and reflux were related to PTS after 1 year. The association of IL-6 and CRP with PTS was weak using the CEAP classification with a RR of 1.2 (0.7-2.2) and 1.8 (0.9-3.3) and absent according to the Villalta scale 0.6 (0.2-1.4) and 1.2 (0.6-2.5), respectively. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that inflammation might play a role in incomplete thrombus clearance, venous outflow obstruction and the development of PTS after 1 year.

Objective The purpose of this randomized study was to evaluate the influence of immediate multilayer compression bandages before application of elastic stockings in the acute phase of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) on development of the post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). Methods Sixty-nine patients with acute symptomatic DVT were randomized to immediate bandaging (n = 34) or no bandaging (n = 35). After reduction of edema sized-to-fit elastic stockings were applied in all patients after 7-14 days. Follow-up visits and non-invasive examinations were planned after 7, 30 and 90 days and 1 year. Venous outflow resistance (VOR) was measured by strain gauge plethysmography. Thrombosis score (TS) and reflux were measured by duplex scanning. After one year patients were evaluated for clinical PTS using both the clinical scale of the CEAP classification and the Villalta score. Results Improvement of clinical symptoms and decrease of leg circumference was better on day 7 in the bandaging group, but after 1 and 3 months clinical symptoms had improved equally in both groups. In 7 patients in the no-bandaging group a bandage was applied after all because of persistent edema after 10 days. There were no differences in VOR, TS and reflux. Using the CEAP classification the incidence of PTS was 39% in patients with bandages and 42% in patients without bandages (RR 0.91,. Using the Villalta score the incidence of PTS was resp. 29 and 33% (RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.41-1.8). There was no difference in severity of PTS. Conclusion Immediate multilayer compression bandaging in the acute phase of DVT is effective in reducing edema and complaints in the first week, but has no effect on thrombus regression, valve incompetence and the development of clinical PTS after 1 year.

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