253 outpatients were included in a prospective randomized study. All patients had incidences of injuries of the lower limb immobilized by a plaster cast. 126 patients (group I) received a subcutaneous injection of Fraxiparin daily, and 127 patients (group II) received no thromboprophylaxis. Without prophylaxis 21 (16.5%) cases developed a thrombosis, and with prophylaxis a thrombosis could be proven in 6 (4.8%) patients only (p < 0.01). Thus, for all patients with an injury of the lower limb being immobilized by a plaster cast, a thromboprophylaxis with a low-molecular-weight heparin is recommended.
Background: In 1998 Baden-Wuerttemberg (BW), a federal state in southwest Germany with 10.8 million inhabitants, implemented a structured medical concept for the treatment of acute stroke. Methods: Since 2004 participation in the BW stroke database is mandatory for all hospitals in BW involved in acute stroke care. The stroke database includes all inpatients ≥18 years of age who have suffered an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke within 7 days before hospitalization. This article presents methodological aspects and first results of the BW stroke database in the time period from 2007 to 2011. Results: Annual inclusion numbers increased continuously (29,422 vs. 35,724, p < 0.001). Median age of stroke onset was stable over time. The proportion of stroke patients ≥80 years increased from 36.9 to 38.8% (p < 0.001). Rates of patients treated in neurology departments rose from 50.7 to 60.9% (p < 0.001) and numbers of patients treated in stroke units rose from 59.1 to 68.4% (p < 0.001). Admission via emergency medical systems increased from 42.8 to 49.7% (p < 0.001) and arrival within 3 h increased from 29.8 to 34.4% (p < 0.001). Conclusion: We present results from a large, prospective and consecutive stroke patient database. This first analysis demonstrates a continuous increase of absolute and relative numbers of stroke patients who arrive within 3 h after onset, are hospitalized in neurology departments and treated in stroke units, and are aged ≥80 years.
One hundred twenty-six patients with clinically suspected acute deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremity (DVT) were examined comparatively with ultrasound and venography. In total, 174 lower extremity venograms were obtained. Ultrasonic examinations were performed on patients in the supine position. The venous segments were evaluated almost exclusively with transversal scanning. In the thigh, the only criterion for DVT was the reduced or absent compressibility of the venous lumen when gently compressed with the transducer. In the calf, normal unobstructed veins can usually not be viewed in the supine patient, whereas thrombotic veins appear as sonolucent, incompressible channels. Eight-three of the 174 lower extremity venograms were positive for DVT. In the majority of cases (53 of 83) the thrombotic process had involved two or more segments in combination. The sites of involvement of the different venous segments were distributed as follows: 24 occlusions of the common femoral vein, 52 of the superficial femoral vein, 56 of the popliteal vein, and 71 of the calf veins. Ultrasound had a sensitivity of 100% for thrombosis of the common femoral vein, 96% for the superficial femoral veins, 98% for the popliteal vein, and 93% for the calf veins. For the entire lower extremity, in regard to the diagnosis of thrombosis, the overall sensitivity was 95%. In 90% the extension of the occlusion was foreseen correctly. In no cases were false-positive results reported. Thus the overall specificity was 100%. The authors conclude that real-time ultrasound is a highly accurate method for the diagnosis of DVT of the lower extremity. It is the only indirect method capable of evaluating the venous system of the thigh, as well as that of the calf, with high accuracy. It should be the first choice of diagnostic imaging method in the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremity.
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