Open AccessOut-patient detection of deep vein thrombosis using a combination of risk scoring and strain-gauge-plethysmography: a follow-up study
Author(s) -
N. Langford,
Karl Tonks,
Manjit Singh
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
acute medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1747-4892
pISSN - 1747-4884
DOI - 10.52964/amja.0252
Subject(s) - medicine , plethysmograph , deep vein , thrombosis , clinical practice , strain (injury) , radiology , surgery , physical therapy
Patients are frequently referred to hospital for exclusion of deep vein thrombosis (DVT); however, the diagnosis is only confirmed in 12% of those undergoing investigation. An effective strategy is required, which minimises the number of negative investigations, while safely excluding or confirming the diagnosis. This study investigates the combination of clinical risk scoring and strain-gauge plethysmography in the initial assessment of patients with suspected DVT. A survey was conducted of 1300 patients referred with suspected DVT over the course of a year. The results of this investigation were comparable to previous clinical trials and supports the use of strain-gauge plethysmography combined with clinical risk score in a busy acute medical unit.