Diagnostic value of a negative single complete compression ultrasound of the lower limbs to exclude the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis in pregnant or postpartum women: a retrospective hospital-based study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

We aimed at determining whether a negative single complete compression ultrasonography (CUS) of the lower limbs veins is a safe and accurate diagnostic method to rule out the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis in pregnant and early postpartum women.

DESIGN:

Hospital-based retrospective study.

SETTING:

The gynaecology and vascular ultrasound units of three general hospitals in western France.

PATIENTS:

We identified from the hospitals databases all pregnant or up to three months postpartum women who underwent CUS for a suspicion of deep venous thrombosis between January 2002 and December 2004.

METHODS:

Questionnaires were sent to all women with a negative CUS. Their medical records were also checked.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

We assessed the three-month thromboembolic risk and its 95% percent confidence interval in women left untreated on the basis of a negative single complete CUS of the lower limbs.

RESULTS:

During the study period, 162 pregnant or postpartum women underwent CUS for a suspicion of deep venous thrombosis. It was positive in 44 (27%). The 118 women who had a negative CUS were sent the questionnaire. Information about the three-month follow-up was found for 107 patients (91%). None of them experienced a thromboembolic event during follow-up: 0.0% (95% CI: 0.0-3.6).

CONCLUSIONS:

Single complete CUS of lower limbs veins appears to be a safe method to rule out the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis in pregnant or early postpartum women. This has to be confirmed by a prospective management study with a formal follow-up.

• Authors: Grégoire Le Gal, Anne-Marije Prins, Marc Righini, Caroline Bohec, Karine Lacut, Pierre Germain, Jean-Claude Vergos, Raymond Kaczmarek, Bruno Guias, Michel Collet, Luc Bressollette, Emmanuel Oger, Dominique Mottier
• Journal: Thrombosis research (Thromb Res) Vol. 118 Issue 6 Pg. 691-7 ( 2006) ISSN: 0049-3848 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16414102 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Lower Extremity (blood supply, diagnostic imaging)
• Postpartum Period
• Predictive Value of Tests
• Pregnancy
• Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular (diagnostic imaging)
• Retrospective Studies
• Ultrasonography
• Venous Thrombosis (diagnostic imaging)