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Published on: February 10, 2023

Biological risk factors for deep vein trombosis

Amparo Vayá1, Yolanda Mira, Marcial Martínez

  • 1Hemorheology and Thrombosis Unit, Department of Clinical Pathology, La Fe University Hospital, Valencia, Spain. vaya_amp@gva.es

Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation
|March 21, 2002
PubMed

Insights

High cholesterol and fibrinogen levels are significant independent risk factors for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Managing these biological factors may reduce venous thrombotic risk in susceptible individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Investigates the role of biological risk factors in the pathogenesis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
  • Focuses on hyperlipidemia and hyperfibrinogenemia as potential independent predictors of DVT.
  • Utilizes a case-control study design to analyze associations between biological markers and DVT.

Background:

  • Approximately half of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) cases have unknown causes, as inherited or acquired thrombotic risk factors are not always present.
  • The contribution of biological factors like hyperlipidemia, hypofibrinolysis, and hemorheological alterations to DVT pathogenesis requires further elucidation.
  • This study aims to identify independent risk factors for DVT among biological variables in patients without known thrombophilic conditions.

Framework:

  • A case-control study was conducted involving 109 patients with first-time DVT and 121 matched healthy controls.
  • Participants with pre-existing inherited or acquired thrombophilic risk factors were excluded.
  • Biological variables including cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, fibrinogen, erythrocyte aggregation, hematocrit, plasma viscosity, and PAI-1 were analyzed.

Implementation:

  • Statistical analysis revealed significantly higher fibrinogen concentrations in DVT cases (290±73 mg/dl) compared to controls (268±58 mg/dl, p<0.05).
  • Dichotomized analysis showed increased prevalence of cholesterolemia >220 mg/dl (38% vs 22%), hematocrit >45% (43% vs 27%), and fibrinogen >300 mg/dl (36% vs 23%) in cases.
  • Multivariate logistic regression identified cholesterolemia >220 mg/dl (OR 2.03) and fibrinogen >300 mg/dl (OR 1.94) as independent predictors of DVT risk.

Implications:

  • Hypercholesterolemia and hyperfibrinogenemia are identified as significant, independent risk factors for deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
  • Combining these two factors increased DVT risk approximately fourfold (OR 3.96).
  • Recommendations include adding hypercholesterolemia and hyperfibrinogenemia to known DVT risk factors and implementing measures to reduce these levels in high-risk populations.

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