NON-INVASIVE VASCULAR LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS OF DEEP VENOUS THROMBOSIS

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 47  (6) , 254-258
Abstract
Patients (117) with suspected deep venous thrombosis (DVT) were studied for 233 limbs in 2 yr. Doppler signals were assessed at the femoral, popliteal and posterior tibial veins. The pulse volume recorder was used to determine segmental venous capacitance and maximum venous outflow. The mean age was 55.2 yr and the male to female ratio was 1:1. Of the 113 legs without suggestion of DVT, studies as controls, 3 had DVT by laboratory criteria and resulted in 3 cases of bilateral DVT. Limbs [110] that were clinically unsuspected and 79 (66%) that were suspected were negative by the laboratory method. Of these, 106 unsuspected limbs and 42 suspected (35%) did not require venography and were not treated. Thirty-seven suspected legs (31%) and 4 unsuspected were proven to be negative by the laboratory criteria and venography. Eighteen (15%) clincally suspected limbs and 2 (2%) unsuspected limbs were positive by venography and laboratory criteria. Eighteen (15%) suspected limbs and 1 unsuspected were positive by laboratory criteria and were treated without venographic confirmation. There was 1 false-positive and 4 false-negatives for an overall error of 4.2%. From the true accuracy rate of 92%, sensitivity of 83% and specificity of 98%, this apparently is a useful method in the diagnosis of DVT. Most of the false-negatives occurred in patients with recurrent DVT.

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