Surveillance of deep vein thrombosis in asymptomatic total hip replacement patients. Impedance phlebography and fibrinogen scanning versus roentgenographic phlebography

Am J Surg. 1988 Mar;155(3):400-4. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9610(88)80099-0.

Abstract

Nine hundred thirty-seven limbs in 537 patients over the age of 39 years who underwent total hip replacement were studied by roentgenographic phlebography, cuff-impedance phlebography, and iodine-125 fibrinogen scanning. Cuff-impedance phlebography had a sensitivity of only 12.3 percent for thigh thrombi. Fibrinogen scanning had a sensitivity of only 59.1 percent for calf thrombi and 13.7 percent for thigh thrombi. The combined use of the two methods resulted in only a 23.2 percent sensitivity for thigh thrombi and an overall sensitivity of 47.4 percent. We have concluded that in asymptomatic patients, in contrast with symptomatic patients, the combination of cuff-impedance phlebography and fibrinogen scanning is not an effective screening method.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • False Negative Reactions
  • False Positive Reactions
  • Female
  • Fibrinogen
  • Hip Prosthesis*
  • Humans
  • Iodine Radioisotopes
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Phlebography / methods
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Thrombophlebitis / diagnostic imaging*

Substances

  • Iodine Radioisotopes
  • Fibrinogen