Venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing rehabilitation for stroke.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence of venous thromboembolism during rehabilitation for stroke and to identify factors that alter its risk.


METHODS
Cohort.


METHODS
Tertiary care stroke rehabilitation program.


METHODS
102 consecutive patients undergoing rehabilitation for stroke.


METHODS
Impedance plethysmography (IPG) as routine screening and in patients with symptoms of deep venous thrombosis (DVT).


METHODS
DVT, pulmonary embolism (PE), death from PE.


RESULTS
Venous thromboembolism was documented in 11 patients (11%) an average of 60 days after stroke onset (range 14-138 days); 2 patients (2%) died from PE. DVT was found on routine IPG screening in six patients and verified by IPG in two clinically symptomatic patients. The odds of developing venous thromboembolism was 17.6 (95% confidence interval: 2.2-143.5) in patients who were bedridden or wheelchair-bound at the time of admission.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of venous thromboembolism is high and greatest in bedridden or wheelchair-bound patients undergoing stroke rehabilitation; randomized trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of screening and/or prophylaxis in such patients are required.
Oczkowski
W J
WJ
Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Ginsberg
J S
JS
Shin
A
A
Panju
A
A
D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010690:Phlebography; D010992:Plethysmography, Impedance; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology