title: Diagnostic value of a negative single complete compression ultrasound of the lower limbs to exclude the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis in pregnant or postpartum women: a retrospective hospital-based study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed at determining whether a negative single complete compression ultrasonography (CUS) of the lower limbs veins is a safe and accurate diagnostic method to rule out the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis in pregnant and early postpartum women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hospital-based retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The gynaecology and vascular ultrasound units of three general hospitals in western France.
  
  
  METHODS
  We identified from the hospitals databases all pregnant or up to three months postpartum women who underwent CUS for a suspicion of deep venous thrombosis between January 2002 and December 2004.
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaires were sent to all women with a negative CUS. Their medical records were also checked.
  
  
  METHODS
  We assessed the three-month thromboembolic risk and its 95% percent confidence interval in women left untreated on the basis of a negative single complete CUS of the lower limbs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the study period, 162 pregnant or postpartum women underwent CUS for a suspicion of deep venous thrombosis. It was positive in 44 (27%). The 118 women who had a negative CUS were sent the questionnaire. Information about the three-month follow-up was found for 107 patients (91%). None of them experienced a thromboembolic event during follow-up: 0.0% (95% CI: 0.0-3.6).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Single complete CUS of lower limbs veins appears to be a safe method to rule out the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis in pregnant or early postpartum women. This has to be confirmed by a prospective management study with a formal follow-up.
authors.affiliation: EA 3878 and Department of Internal Medicine and Chest Diseases, Brest University Hospital, Brest, France. gregoire.legal@chu-brest.fr
authors.forename: Grégoire
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Le Gal
authors.forename: Anne-Marije
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Prins
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Righini
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bohec
authors.forename: Karine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lacut
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Germain
authors.forename: Jean-Claude
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Vergos
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kaczmarek
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Guias
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Collet
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bressollette
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Oger
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mottier
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*