Deep Vein Thrombosis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Deep Vein Thrombosis, including details on dvt, prevention, effects, causes, air travel, blood clots.

Asymptomatic postoperative deep vein thrombosis and the development of postthrombotic syndrome. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Wille-Jørgensen P, Jorgensen LN, Crawford M

Department of Surgery, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. pwj01@bbh.hosp.dk

Perioperative antithrombotic clinical regimens have reduced the incidence of postoperative deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Long-term effects of asymptomatic postoperative DVT have been studied in a number of clinical trials and the present review describes the clinical significance of asymptomatic postoperative DVT regarding the possible development of postthrombotic syndrome (PTS).We performed a systematic review of reference databases focusing upon studies including patients suspected of having postoperative DVT and reporting subsequent cases of PTS at the end of a well-defined follow-up period. The included studies were stratified according to type of screening method and applied statistics. Over-all evaluation included meta-analyses based upon the Cochrane software package. The overall relative risk of developing PTS was 1.58 (95% confidence intervals: 1.24-2.02) in patients suffering from asymptomatic DVT as compared to patients without DVT (p<0.0005). In conclusion, asymptomatic postoperative DVT is associated with an increased risk of late development of PTS. The finding emphasizes that postoperative DVT, diagnosed by means of well-defined objective measures, remains the correct scientific endpoint in trials evaluating the efficacy of preoperative antithrombotic treatment regimens.

Published 15 February 2005 in Thromb Haemost, 93(2): 236-41.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Deep Vein Thrombosis Research Today. All Rights Reserved.