Asymptomatic calf vein DVT in high risk surgical patients: a single centre study

Abstract

Asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of calf veins is a known entity in high risk surgical patients, which can lead to fatal pulmonary embolism. The actual incidence of asymptomatic calf vein DVT in high risk surgical patients is not known in Indian population. We had conducted this study with an aim to determine the incidence of asymptomatic calf vein DVT in spite of providing extended prophylaxis against DVT in high risk patients. Our study was a prospective observational study conducted from Oct 2014 to Mar 2016 in a tertiary care teaching Hospital in Bangalore, in Department of surgery with help of Department of Nuclear medicine and Radio diagnosis. We examined more than 100 patients who were due for some surgical procedure and included 100 patients fell in high risk group with a risk stratification score of ≥ 5. All patients screened for asymptomatic DVT with Duplex ultrasonography scan and 99mTc MAA venography. The patients who were detected to have asymptomatic calf vein DVT were therapeutically managed as cases of DVT. In the study 3 patients detected to have asymptomatic calf vein DVT making the incidence of 3.06%. In our study group we found duration of surgery of more than 60 mins being the most common risk factor followed by malignancy. Our incidence of asymptomatic calf vein DVT was 3.06% in high risk surgical patients. Duplex ultrasonography is a useful, easily available, non invasive and safe diagnostic modality in detecting asymptomatic calf vein DVT.