title: Incidence of venous thromboembolism using 64 channel multidetector row computed tomography-indirect venography and anti-coagulation therapy after total knee arthroplasty in Korea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated the incidence of a venous thromboembolism (VTE) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using multidetector row computed tomography-indirect venography (MDCT-indirect venography) and assessed the efficacy of anti-coagulation therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We enrolled 118 patients with 126 cases of TKA. The average age of the patients was 68.4 years. We used 64 channel MDCT-indirect venography for the detection of VTE. We treated selectively proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) cases according to the results of MDCT-indirect venography. We re-evaluated the change in VTE using follow-up MDCT-indirect venography after 3 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We identified VTE in 35.7%. DVT only was identified in 22.2% including 8 cases of proximal DVT and 20 cases of distal DVT. PTE without DVT was identified in 4.8%, and combined DVT and PTE in 8.7%. All patients with PTE were asymptomatic, but 4 DVT patients had signs of leg swelling. After anti-coagulation therapy, 20 patients showed complete resolution in 16 cases, improvement in 3 cases and one case showed a new distal DVT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The incidence of VTE after primary TKA was 35.7% in Korea. Furthermore, anti-coagulation therapy for proximal DVT and PTE patients may be a useful method for preventing the occurrence of a fatal PTE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung-Hyun
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Sang-Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Cheon
authors.forename: Ji-Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hee-Soo
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kyung