Upper extremity versus lower extremity deep venous thrombosis.
BACKGROUND
In contrast to lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (LEDVT), it is widely believed that upper extremity deep venous thrombosis (UEDVT) is associated with minimal morbidity or mortality.


METHODS
In an attempt to compare the two disease processes with respect to pulmonary embolism and mortality, we have reviewed records and performed interviews of 430 patients with LEDVT and 52 patients with UEDVT presenting to our institution between January 1994 and June 1995.


RESULTS
Pulmonary embolism was documented by ventilation/perfusion lung scan in 9 of 52 patients (17%) with UEDVT and 33 of 430 patients (8%) with LEDVT (P <0.05). Twenty-five of the UEDVT patients (48%) died within 6 months of the diagnosis of UEDVT. Conversely, 14 patients (13%) in the LEDVT group died within 6 months of the diagnosis of LEDVT (P <0.0002).


CONCLUSIONS
Contrary to previous reports, this study suggests that UEDVT is associated with a higher morbidity and mortality as compared with LEDVT. These data show that UEDVT has been an underrecognized predictor of morbidity and mortality.
Hingorani
A
A
Department of Surgery, Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York 11219, USA.
Ascher
E
E
Hanson
J
J
Scheinman
M
M
Yorkovich
W
W
Lorenson
E
E
DePippo
P
P
Salles-Cunha
S
S
D018806:APACHE; D000368:Aged; D001132:Arm / Q000098:blood supply*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015993:Life Tables; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality