10779/rcsi.10767845.v1
Darren Lillis
Darren
Lillis
Christian Lloyd
Christian
Lloyd
Peter O'Kelly
Peter
O'Kelly
Sheila Kelly
Sheila
Kelly
Peadar Gilligan
Peadar
Gilligan
DVT Presentations to an Emergency Department: A Study of Guideline Based Care and Decision Making.
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
2019
Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT)
Emergency Department
Guideline
Decision Making.
2019-11-22 15:17:35
Journal contribution
https://repository.rcsi.com/articles/journal_contribution/DVT_Presentations_to_an_Emergency_Department_A_Study_of_Guideline_Based_Care_and_Decision_Making_/10767845
<p>Pre-test probability scoring and blood tests for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) assessment are sensitive, but not specific leading to increased demands on radiology services. Three hundred and eighty-five patients presenting to an Emergency Department (ED), with suspected DVT, were studied to explore our actual work-up of patients with possible DVT relating to risk stratification, further investigation and follow up. Of the 205 patients with an initially negative scan, 36 (17.6%) were brought for review to the ED Consultant clinic. Thirty-four (16.6%) patients underwent repeat compression ultrasound with 5 (2.4%) demonstrating a DVT on the second scan. Repeat compression ultrasound scans were performed on 34 (16.6%) patients with an initially negative scan, with essentially the same diagnostic yield as other larger studies where 100% of such patients had repeat scanning. Where there is ongoing concern, repeat above-knee compression ultrasound within one week will pick up a small number of deep venous thromboses.</p>