Deep venous thrombosis in surgical intensive care unit: prevalence and risk factors.
BACKGROUND
Critically ill patients are at high risk for developing venous thromboembolism. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of, and risk factors for, lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) among critically ill surgical patients in Thailand.


METHODS
Patients older than 15 years who were admitted to a surgical intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary care hospital were enrolled. Bilateral lower extremity compression Doppler ultrasonographic examination was performed to detect DVT within 14 days of ICU admission. Demographic data, primary disease, operative intervention, co-morbidities, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score and the length of ICU stay were tested for association with the presence of DVT.


RESULTS
Among the 190 first-time admitted ICU patients with a mean APACHE II score of 9.2 +/- 6.0 (range, 0-29), 20 patients had DVT (prevalence of 10.5%). Thromboprophylaxis was not given to any patient. The only independent and significant risk factor for DVT was a longer ICU stay. Age, sex, APACHE II score, presence of comorbidities and operative intervention were not associated with the presence of DVT.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of DVT in critically ill patients in a Thai surgical ICU was approximately 10.5%. Further research is needed to evaluate the risks and benefits of venous thromboprophylaxis in Thai patients.
Wilasrusmee
Chumpon
C
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. racwl@mahidol.ac.th
Kiranantawat
Kidakorn
K
Horsirimanont
Suthas
S
Lertsithichai
Panuwat
P
Reodecha
Pinmanee
P
Soonthonkit
Yupa
Y
Boonbavonrutanakun
Aree
A
Tangsakuntong
Plubplung
P
Panichvisai
Saowaros
S
Jirasirithum
Sopon
S
Kittur
Dilip S
DS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult