Algorithms for the diagnosis of deep-vein thrombosis in patients with low clinical pretest probability

• Published in: Thrombosis research 2002, Vol.105 (1), p.43-47
• Main Authors: Bucek, Robert A., Koca, Nihat, Reiter, Markus, Haumer, Markus, Zontsich, Thomas, Minar, Erich
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Algorithms; Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Cardiology. Vascular system; Clinical examination; D-dimer; Decision Trees; Deep-vein thrombosis; Diseases of the peripheral vessels. Diseases of the vena cava. Miscellaneous; Female; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products - analysis; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Phlebography; Predictive Value of Tests; Risk Assessment; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; Ultrasound; Venous thromboembolism; Venous Thrombosis - blood; Venous Thrombosis - diagnosis; Venous Thrombosis - diagnostic imaging
• ISSN: 0049-3848; 1879-2472
• DOI: 10.1016/S0049-3848(01)00411-X

The objective of this current trial was to evaluate the rate of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients after low clinical risk stratification and to evaluate the value of D-dimer and different imaging techniques in the diagnostic algorithm. A total of 99 consecutive patients were included in this prospective trial. After clinical risk assessment, D-dimer was determined. Final diagnosis was based on the results of duplex sonography, in cases of indeterminate scans on those of ascending venography. Three months after admission, follow-up investigations were performed by a telephone interview to evaluate possible further venous thromboembolism. Final diagnosis was based on the results of colour Doppler ultrasound in 92.9% and on those of venography in 7.1%. DVT was diagnosed in 2%, D-dimer was positive in 48.4%, giving a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 52.7% and a negative predictive value of 100%. Follow-up was possible in 89.9%—no further thromboembolic event occurred. In this specific patient group, a negative D-dimer excludes DVT and can therefore reduce the number of imaging procedures by one-half, which, on the contrary, is necessary in patients with positive D-dimer.