Deep venous thrombosis after arterial surgery: a literature review.
OBJECTIVE
To quantify the risk of DVT in arterial surgery, and to assess the need for prophylaxis.


METHODS
A search was carried out through Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases to identify published studies on DVT in arterial surgery. To quantify the risk of DVT both randomised and prospective non-randomised studies were included for analysis. However, to assess the need for prophylaxis only randomised controlled trials were considered.


RESULTS
Twenty three prospective studies that evaluated DVT in arterial surgery were identified. Ten reported data about DVT in aortic surgery, seven studies evaluated DVT in general vascular surgery, three studied DVT in infra-inguinal vascular surgery and three studied DVT incidence in patients after limb amputations.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a wide variation in the reported incidence of DVT in arterial surgery (2%-24%). This is mostly due to the diversity of screening methods used and the inclusion or exclusion of below knee DVT. There is insufficient evidence to make a valid conclusion regarding the routine use of anticoagulants prophylaxis in arterial surgery. However, until such evidence becomes available, DVT prophylaxis in patients undergoing arterial surgery will continue to be guided by evidence gained from studies of general surgical patients.
Bani-Hani
M
M
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, Burnley General Hospital, Department of General/Vascular Surgery, Casterton Avenue, Burnley, Lancashire BB10 2PQ, United Kingdom.
Titi
M
M
Al-Khaffaf
H
H
D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001011:Aorta / Q000601:surgery; D001158:Arteries / Q000601:surgery*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000925:Anticoagulants