title: The wheelchair thrombosis syndrome.
abstract: 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."
authors.affiliation: Fairview Developmental Center, Costa Mesa, CA, USA. glohiya@fdc.dds.ca.gov
authors.forename: Ghan-Shyam
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Lohiya
authors.forename: Lilia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tan-Figueroa
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Silverman
authors.forename: Hung Van
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Le
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants