The wheelchair thrombosis syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) related to prolonged wheelchair use.


METHODS
A 48-year-old patient with spastic quadriplegia usually spent 10-12 hours daily in a wheelchair. He suddenly developed marked swelling of his right foot, leg and thigh. His plasma D-dimer level was 1,030 (normal <500) ng/ml. A duplex ultrasound revealed common femoral vein thrombosis. He was hospitalized and anticoagulated; his extremity swelling decreased considerably by day 45. Hypercoagulability work-up disclosed previously subclinical mild elevation of serum cardiolipin immunoglobulin G (antiphospholipid syndrome). This patient will receive longterm anticoagulation.


CONCLUSIONS
Prolonged sitting in wheelchair may cause DVT. To enhance public recognition of this avoidable risk, we propose the term "wheelchair thrombosis syndrome."
Lohiya
Ghan-Shyam
GS
Fairview Developmental Center, Costa Mesa, CA, USA. glohiya@fdc.dds.ca.gov
Tan-Figueroa
Lilia
L
Silverman
Steve
S
Le
Hung Van
HV
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011782:Quadriplegia; D013577:Syndrome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D014910:Wheelchairs / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000925:Anticoagulants