title: No consensus exists for use of anticoagulation for calf vein thrombosis.
abstract: The ideal treatment of calf vein thrombosis (CVT) remains undefined. We assessed practice patterns at a single institution for CVT. Physicians were sent an online survey with 8 multiple choice questions about management of CVT. A total of 99 physicians of varying specialties participated in the survey. A total of 48.5% anticoagulate patients with CVT and 51.5% do not. Of those who anticoagulate, 62.3% use low molecular weight heparin and 11% use IV heparin. Treatment duration is 3 months for 58% and 6 months for 30% of responders. Of those who do not anticoagulate, 71.2% reassess for clot propagation or resolution with a duplex exam. IVC filters are used by 46% when there is a contraindication to anticoagulation and 13.7% when clot propagation is noted on follow-up scan. These results suggest that there is no consensus treatment of CVT. There is a higher than expected rate of IVC filters placed for CVT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Anstadt
authors.forename: T Calloway
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: Ross
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Milner
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D032921:Consensus; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000639:trends; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000639:trends*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D016306:Vena Cava Filters / Q000639:trends; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D006493:Heparin
keywords: CVT; DVT; anticoagulation; below-knee deep vein thrombosis; calf vein thrombosis