Repeat duplex ultrasound scanning in suspected Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): putting the onus back on the referring clinician

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 63-67
Author(s):  
Bryan Renton ◽  
S Thiru ◽  
CP Griffin
Keyword(s):  
Deep Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Duplex Ultrasound ◽  
Ultrasound Scanning ◽  
Nice Guideline ◽  
Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Dramatic Rise ◽  
Wells Score ◽  
Deep Vein ◽  
Repeat Scanning ◽  
D Dimer

Duplex scanning is utilised by many departments in the investigation of suspected Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). NICE Guideline CG144 recommended repeat scanning for patients in whom the initial Wells score was ‘likely’ in the presence of a raised D-Dimer, following a normal first scan. Following implementation of this recommendation in our department there was a dramatic rise in the number of repeat scans being undertaken, all of which were negative for DVT. Introduction of an electronic message to the report, placing the onus back on the referring clinician to arrange repeat scan if deemed appropriate resulted in a fall in the number of scans being undertaken without impacting on patient outcome.

scholarly journals P001: Age-adjusted D-dimer and two-site compression point of care ultrasonography to rule out acute deep vein thrombosis - a pilot study

CJEM ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (S1) ◽  
pp. S57-S57
Author(s):  
K. Alqaydi ◽  
J. Turner ◽  
L. Robichaud ◽  
D. Hamad ◽  
X. Xue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Deep Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Screening Tools ◽  
Duplex Scan ◽  
Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Wells Score ◽  
Deep Vein ◽  
D Dimer ◽  
Rule Out

Introduction: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can lead to significant morbidity and mortality if not diagnosed and treated promptly. Currently, few methods aside from venous duplex scanning can rule out DVT in patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED). Current screening tools, including the use of the subjective Wells score, frequently leads to unnecessary investigations and anticoagulation. In this study, we sought to determine whether two-site compression point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) combined with a negative age-adjusted D-dimer test can accurately rule out DVT in ED patients irrespective of the modified Wells score. Methods: This is a single-center, prospective observational study in the ED of the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal. We are recruiting a convenience sample of patients presenting to the ED with symptoms suggestive of DVT. All enrolled patients are risk-stratified using the modified Wells criteria for DVT, then undergo two-site compression POCUS, and testing for age-adjusted D-dimer. Patients with DVT unlikely according to modified Wells score, negative POCUS and negative age-adjusted D-dimer are discharged home and receive a three-month phone follow-up. Patients with DVT likely according to modified Wells score, a positive POCUS or a positive age-adjusted D-dimer, will undergo a venous duplex scan. A true negative DVT is defined as either a negative venous duplex scan or a negative follow-up phone questionnaire for patients who were sent home without a venous duplex scan. Results: Of the 42 patients recruited thus far, the mean age is 56 years old and 42.8% are male. Twelve (28.6%) patients had DVT unlikely as per modified Wells score, negative POCUS and negative age-adjusted D-dimer and were discharged home. None of these patients developed a DVT on three-month follow-up. Thirty patients (71.4%) had either a DVT likely as per modified Wells score, a positive POCUS or a positive age-adjusted D-dimer and underwent a venous duplex scan. Of those, six patients had a confirmed DVT (3 proximal & 3 distal). POCUS detected all proximal DVTs, while combined POCUS and age-adjusted D-dimer detected all proximal and distal DVTs. None of the patients with a negative POCUS and age-adjusted D-dimer were found to have a DVT. Conclusion: Two-site compression POCUS combined with a negative age-adjusted D-dimer test appears to accurately rule out DVT in ED patients without the need for follow-up duplex venous scan. Using this approach would alleviate the need to calculate the Wells score, and also reduce the need for radiology-performed duplex venous scan for many patients.

scholarly journals Predicting Venous Thromboembolic Events in Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 Requiring Hospitalization: an Observational Retrospective Study by the COVIDIC Initiative in a Swiss University Hospital

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleftheria Kampouri ◽  
Paraskevas Filippidis ◽  
Benjamin Viala ◽  
Marie Méan ◽  
Olivier Pantet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Deep Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Retrospective Study ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Thromboembolic Events ◽  
Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Venous Thromboembolic Events ◽  
Venous Thromboembolic ◽  
Wells Score ◽  
Deep Vein ◽  
D Dimer

Background. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can result in profound changes in blood coagulation. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence and predictors of venous thromboembolic events (VTE) among patients with COVID-19 requiring hospital admission. Subjects and Methods. We performed a retrospective study at the Lausanne University Hospital with patients admitted because of COVID-19 from February 28 to April 30, 2020. Results. Among 443 patients with COVID-19, VTE was diagnosed in 41 patients (9.3%; 27 pulmonary embolisms, 12 deep vein thrombosis, one pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis, one portal vein thrombosis). VTE was diagnosed already upon admission in 14 (34.1%) patients and 27 (65.9%) during hospital stay (18 in ICU and nine in wards outside the ICU). Multivariate analysis revealed D-dimer value > 3,120   ng / ml ( P < 0.001 ; OR 15.8, 95% CI 4.7-52.9) and duration of 8 days or more from COVID-19 symptoms onset to presentation ( P 0.020; OR 4.8, 95% CI 1.3-18.3) to be independently associated with VTE upon admission. D-dimer value ≥ 3,000   ng / l combined with a Wells score for PE ≥ 2 was highly specific (sensitivity 57.1%, specificity 91.6%) in detecting VTE upon admission. Development of VTE during hospitalization was independently associated with D-dimer value > 5,611   ng / ml ( P < 0.001 ; OR 6.3, 95% CI 2.4-16.2) and mechanical ventilation ( P < 0.001 ; OR 5.9, 95% CI 2.3-15.1). Conclusions. VTE seems to be a common COVID-19 complication upon admission and during hospitalization, especially in ICU. The combination of Wells ≥ 2 score and D − dimer ≥ 3,000   ng / l is a good predictor of VTE at admission.

Age-adjusted D-dimer for the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (7) ◽  
pp. 458-463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Efrem Gómez-Jabalera ◽  
Sergio Bellmunt Montoya ◽  
Eva Fuentes-Camps ◽  
José Román Escudero Rodríguez
Keyword(s):  
Deep Vein Thrombosis ◽  
False Negative ◽  
Intermediate Risk ◽  
Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Clinical Probability ◽  
Specificity And Sensitivity ◽  
Wells Score ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
Deep Vein ◽  
D Dimer

Objective In the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis, new D-dimer cut-off values were defined by multiplying 10 µg/L × age. The objective of the present study is to define a more specific age-adjusted value, including the pre-test Wells score, without worsening sensitivity. Methods We designed a case–control study in patients attended in the emergency department with clinically suspected deep vein thrombosis. Demographics, Wells score, D-dimer and ultrasound data were collected. In low and intermediate clinical probability cases for deep vein thrombosis, we determined the specificity and sensitivity (false-negative rates) for the following cut-off values of D-dimer: age × 10 µg/L, age × 15 µg/L, age × 20 µg/L, age × 25 µg/L and age × 30 µg/L. The cut-off value with maximum specificity without any false-negative result (sensitivity 100%) was identified. Results We included 138 consecutive patients, 39.9% were men and the mean age was 71.6 years. Deep vein thrombosis was diagnosed in 16.7% of patients and the Wells score was low in 69.6%, intermediate in 21% and high in 9.4% of patients. Applying the conventional cut-off value of 500 µg/L, the specificity was 21.1% with a sensitivity of 100%. Maintaining 100% sensitivity, the highest specificity was reached with a cut-off value for D-dimer equivalent to the age × 25 µg/L in low-risk patients (67.1% specificity) and the age × 10 µg/L (50% specificity) in intermediate-risk patients. Conclusions In patients with low Wells score, the cut-off value can be raised to age × 25 µg/L in order to rule out deep vein thrombosis without jeopardizing safety. In intermediate-risk patients, the D-dimer cut-off value could be raised to age × 10 µg/L as previously suggested.

scholarly journals Sensitivity and specificity of D-dimer tests comparing to the ultrasound examination of deep vein thrombosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 146 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 303-308
Author(s):  
Dragan Markovic ◽  
Dragan Vasic ◽  
Jelena Basic ◽  
Slobodan Tanaskovic ◽  
Slobodan Cvetkovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Deep Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Wells Score ◽  
Examination Methods ◽  
False Diagnosis ◽  
Deep Vein ◽  
D Dimer ◽  
Compression Ultrasonography

Introduction/Objective. Untreated deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is associated with a high risk of pulmonary embolism (PE), and false diagnosis of DVT results in unnecessary anticoagulant therapy, with a risk of bleeding. Accurate diagnosis of DVT and prompt therapy are essential to reduce the risk of thromboembolic complications. The aim of our study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of three D-dimer tests (DD PLUS, HemosIL, and VIDAS) comparing to compression ultrasonography (CUS) examination. Methods. We observed 350 patients, some with different risk factors. The patients underwent the same protocol (evaluation of the patient?s history, physical examination, and D-dimer testing), and CUS was used as a reference for all the patients. According to Wells score, the patients were divided into groups with low, moderate, and high pretest probability (PTP). Results. Most of the examined patients were with moderate PTP. The CUS showed that there was the highest number of examined patients without DVT. Most of the examined patients with a positive CUS finding had proximal iliac and femoral DVT. VIDAS test was positive in the highest percentage in the group of patients with CUS-documented thrombosis. Conclusion. All three D-dimer tests used in our study had similar sensitivity and specificity. However, VIDAS test had higher levels of positive and negative predictive values comparing to the others. The comparison of three D-dimer tests by an ROC curve showed that VIDAS test has the highest overall statistical accuracy of all three D-dimer tests.

Sensitivity and specificity of a quantitative point of care D-dimer assay using heparinized whole blood, in patients with clinically suspected deep vein thrombosis

2006 ◽  
Vol 96 (07) ◽  
pp. 79-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Korte ◽  
Michael Schwab ◽  
Rainer Zerback ◽  
Menno Huisman ◽  
Carl-Erik Dempfle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Deep Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Whole Blood ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Duplex Ultrasound ◽  
High Specificity ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Deep Vein ◽  
D Dimer

SummaryD-dimer assays are efficient in the exclusion diagnostics of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients without severe concomitant diseases. We have determined diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of a new point-of-care rapid assay for quantitative determination of D-dimer in heparinized whole blood in outpatients with suspected DVT. In 19 participating centers, 637 patients were included in the study, of which 77 were excluded, the majority because of inadequate documentation of analytical quality control measures. DVT was diagnosed in 223 of the remaining 560 patients by duplex ultrasound examination. The POC D-dimer assay showed a high sensitivity of 96.9% for the diagnosis of DVT and a high specificity of 60.8% at a pre-specified cutoff of 0.5 µg/ml. For Tina-quant D-dimer, sensitivity was slightly lower at 94.9%, with a specificity of 64.8%.The VIDAS D-dimer assay showed a sensitivity of 98.2%, but specificity was 40.7%. The area under the curve (AUC ± standard error, 95% confidence interval) was 0.879 ± 0.019 (0.845–0.909) for POC D-dimer, 0.908 ± 0.016 (0.877–0.934) for Tina-quant D-dimer, and 0.895± 0.018 (0.862–0.922) forVIDAS D-dimer. Differences were not statistically significant. The new whole blood POC D-dimer assay isa reliable tool for exclusion of DVT in symptomatic outpatients, displaying a comparable diagnostic performance as VIDAS D-dimer and Tina-quant D-dimer assays.Roche CARDIAC and TINA-QUANT are tradenames of Roche.

Diagnostic tests and strategies in venous thromboembolism

2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (2_suppl) ◽  
pp. 43-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
A M S Tenna ◽  
S Kappadath ◽  
G Stansby
Keyword(s):  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Accurate Diagnosis ◽  
Pretest Probability ◽  
Ultrasound Scanning ◽  
Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Pulmonary Angiogram ◽  
Wells Score ◽  
Deep Vein ◽  
D Dimer ◽  
Missed Diagnoses

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a term including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Timely and accurate diagnosis of both is essential as delayed or missed diagnoses can result in death or longer term complications. Patients with suspected DVT should initially undergo a pretest probability Wells score. Depending on pretest probability Wells score they should then either proceed to two-point ultrasound scanning or D-dimer testing. Likewise, patients suspected of PE should undergo a two-level PE Wells score, and, if scored likely, a computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA), or, if there is a low pretest probability score, D-dimer testing. If positive, patients should undergo CTPA. Ventilation perfusion scanning (V/Q scan) or V/Q SPECT should be considered in place of CTPA if there is allergy to contrast media or renal impairment.

Effects of rosuvastatin as an adjuvant treatment for deep vein thrombosis

VASA ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrique María San Norberto ◽  
María Victoria Gastambide ◽  
James Henry Taylor ◽  
Irene García-Saiz ◽  
Carlos Vaquero
Keyword(s):  
Deep Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Duplex Ultrasound ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
Low Molecular Weight ◽  
Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Rosuvastatin Group ◽  
Deep Vein ◽  
D Dimer

Abstract. Background: Statins have been reported to help prevent the development and the recurrence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). We conducted a prospective randomized clinical trial to compare the effects of rosuvastatin plus a low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), bemiparin, with conventional LMWH therapy in the treatment of DVT. Patients and methods: In total, 234 patients were randomized into two groups, 116 in the LMWH group and 118 in the statin plus LMWH group. All patients underwent lower limb duplex ultrasound and analytic markers at diagnosis and three months of follow-up. The final analysis included 230 patients. Results: No significant differences were observed in D-dimer levels after three months of follow-up between patients treated with LMWH+rosuvastatin compared to the LMWH group (802.51 + 1062.20 vs. 996.25 + 1843.37, p = 0.897). The group of patients treated with statins displayed lower levels of CRP (4.17 + 4.27 vs. 22.39 + 97.48, p = 0.018) after three months of follow-up. The Villalta scale demonstrated significant differences between groups (3.45 + 6.03 vs. 7.79 + 5.58, p = 0.035). There was a significant decrease in PTS incidence (Villalta score> 5) in the rosuvastatin group (38.3 % vs. 48.5%, p = 0.019). There were no differences in EuroQol score between groups. Conclusions: Adjuvant rosuvastatin treatment in patients diagnosed of DVT improve CRP levels and diminish PTS incidence.

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