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Use of a simplified clinical scoring system and d ‐dimer testing can reduce the requirement for radiology in the exclusion of deep vein thrombosis by over 20%
Author(s) -
Janes Sarah,
Ashford Nicholas
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2141.2001.02607.x
Subject(s) - deep vein , medicine , thrombosis , d dimer , embolus , pulmonary embolism , radiology , radiological weapon , pulmonary embolus , population , surgery , environmental health
A simplified, robust, clinical assessment, used in conjunction with a d ‐dimer assay, has been developed to identify patients with a low risk of deep vein thrombosis. These patients did not undergo radiological examination. The protocol has been used by junior doctors in a district general hospital with a predominantly elderly population. Four hundred and thirty‐one patients with potential deep vein thrombosis of the lower limb were assessed using this method and 98 (22·7%) did not require further investigation. Of these, one was admitted 5 months later with a pulmonary embolus. None of the other patients subsequently required admission for a thromboembolic event or died during a minimum of 3 months follow‐up.