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A Multicenter MRI Protocol for the Evaluation and Quantification of Deep Vein Thrombosis
10:26

A Multicenter MRI Protocol for the Evaluation and Quantification of Deep Vein Thrombosis

Published on: June 2, 2015

Frequency of deep venous thrombosis in asymptomatic patients with coronary artery bypass grafts

S E Reis1, J F Polak, D R Hirsch

  • 1Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115.

American Heart Journal
|August 1, 1991
PubMed

Insights

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) affects nearly half of patients after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, often silently in the calf veins. Further research is needed to understand its impact and prevention strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Vascular Surgery
  • Cardiology
  • Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

  • Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a known complication in surgical patients.
  • The incidence of asymptomatic DVT following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is not well-established.
  • Clinically silent DVTs may be missed without routine screening.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To estimate the frequency of clinically silent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
  • To investigate potential associations between DVT and saphenous vein harvest site or patient risk factors.
  • To assess the short-term clinical sequelae of asymptomatic DVT post-CABG.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study involving 29 asymptomatic patients undergoing CABG surgery.
  • High-resolution B-mode ultrasonography with color Doppler imaging of leg veins performed before hospital discharge.
  • Clinical assessment for signs of DVT and review of potential risk factors.

Main Results:

  • A high frequency of asymptomatic DVT was detected in 14 out of 29 patients (48.3%).
  • All identified DVTs were limited to calf veins and were clinically unsuspected.
  • No association was found between DVT and saphenous vein harvest, or traditional DVT risk factors.
  • Follow-up showed no clinical evidence of DVT or pulmonary embolism up to 11 months post-surgery.

Conclusions:

  • Asymptomatic calf DVT occurs with a high frequency (44.8%) after CABG surgery.
  • Current clinical suspicion and risk factor assessment are insufficient for detecting these DVTs.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the natural history, clinical significance, and optimal management of post-CABG DVT.

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