title: Venous thromboembolism after diaphragm pacing in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are prone to venous thromboembolism (VTE) and secondary complications. Because there is an increased incidence of VTE after surgical procedures, placement of a Diaphragm Pacing System (DPS) in ALS patients as treatment for respiratory muscle weakness could potentially increase the incidence of VTE, especially in patients with limited mobility.
  
  
  METHODS
  We implanted a DPS in 10 ALS patients who met the criteria for this procedure. They underwent a preoperative evaluation as recommended by the guidelines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We report 2 patients with no symptoms of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) before the surgical procedure who then developed perioperative VTE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These patients highlight the need to consider preoperative screening for DVT and postoperative thromboprophylaxis in high-risk ALS patients who undergo DPS placement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, MC 2030, Chicago, Illinois, 60637 USA.
authors.forename: Kourosh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rezania
authors.forename: Ori
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gottlieb
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guralnick
authors.forename: Vivek
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Prachand
authors.forename: Bobbie J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Sweitzer
authors.forename: Wickii
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Vigneswaran
authors.forename: Steven R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Raymond P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Roos
mesh_terms: D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology*; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000637:transplantation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery
keywords: ALS; DPS; DVT; VTE; pulmonary embolism