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Point‐of‐care ultrasound for deep venous thrombosis of the lower limb
Author(s) -
Canty David,
Mufti Kavi,
Bridgford Lindsay,
Denault André
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
australasian journal of ultrasound in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2205-0140
pISSN - 1836-6864
DOI - 10.1002/ajum.12188
Subject(s) - medicine , venous thrombosis , ultrasound , point of care ultrasound , radiology , venography , duplex (building) , pulmonary embolus , lower limb , pulmonary embolism , thrombosis , surgery , dna , genetics , biology
Abstract The incidence and morbidity of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolus are high. Although efforts to increase screening for DVT have been recommended, this is limited by resources. Venous duplex ultrasound has replaced venography as the first‐line investigation of choice for DVT, increasing availability and reducing patient exposure to radiation and intravenous contrast. Furthermore, an abbreviated ultrasound where DVT is inferred from incomplete venous compressibility has an equivalent accuracy to venous duplex, requiring less time and training enabling its widespread use by emergency, critical care and anaesthesia clinicians. In this review, the evolution and method of lower limb venous compression ultrasound is described along with evidence for its use in patients at high risk for DVT in these clinical settings.