Incidence of venous thromboembolism in patients with traumatic brain injury.
BACKGROUND
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) may be a risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE). This study was designed to review the incidence of VTE in critically injured patients with an isolated TBI using a standardized venous duplex color-flow Doppler imaging program and to compare it with the overall and high-risk trauma populations.


METHODS
Trauma patients who underwent lower-extremity surveillance color-flow Doppler imaging for VTE were identified. Analyses included patient demographics, characteristics of TBI, VTE risk factors, prophylaxis, incidence, location, and patient outcome.


RESULTS
A total of 5,787 patients were admitted during the study period. Of these, 539 (9%) were deemed high risk for VTE. The incidence of VTE in patients with isolated TBI (88, 16%) was 25%. All patients and the high-risk population had incidences of 2% and 17%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of VTE in isolated TBI is greatest in patients with intraparenchymal hemorrhage. Early VTE prophylaxis is warranted in TBI patients.
Denson
Kent
K
Department of General Surgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, P.O. Box 26901, 1122 NE 13th 3rd floor, Oklahoma City, OK 73190, USA. kent-denson@cox.net
Morgan
Daniel
D
Cunningham
Rob
R
Nigliazzo
Anthony
A
Brackett
Daniel
D
Lane
Mary
M
Smith
Brenda
B
Albrecht
Roxie
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009825:Oklahoma / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology