Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Screening for Proximal Lower Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis
Published on: February 10, 2023
Deep vein thrombosis in orthopedic surgery
Marcella Calfon1, Ali Seddighzadeh, Gregory Piazza
1Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston Massachusetts, USA. mcalfon@partners.org
Abstract:
We compared 315 patients with deep vein thrombosis who underwent major orthopedic surgery with 618 who underwent general surgery in a prospective registry of consecutive ultrasound-confirmed deep vein thrombosis patients. Orthopedic patients had fewer indwelling central venous catheters (14.0% vs. 46.4%, P < .0001) as well as lower rates of congestive heart failure (7.0% vs. 13.4%, P = .002), cancer (5.1% vs. 28.6%, P < .0001), and diabetes (7.0% vs. 12.6%, P = .004). Extremity discomfort (43.5% vs. 30.3%, P < .0001) and erythema (10.1% vs. 4.8%, P = .001) were more common in orthopedic patients, but dyspnea was less common (11.4% vs. 18.0%, P = .005). There was an increased use of graduated compression stockings (19.4% vs. 15.0%, P = .04), low-molecular-weight heparin (18.7% vs. 12.1%, P = .003), and warfarin (31.7% vs. 11.0%, P < .0001) for deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis in the orthopedic surgery group. Orthopedic surgical patients had a higher frequency of calf deep vein thrombosis than patients who underwent general surgery (38.4% vs. 2.1%, P < .0001). In both groups, 28% did not receive prophylaxis. In conclusion, despite having fewer comorbid conditions, orthopedic patients with deep vein thrombosis remain particularly vulnerable to calf deep vein thrombosis. Rates of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis were inadequate.
Related Concept Videos
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management
Venous Thrombosis I: Introduction
Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Venous Thrombosis IV: Nursing Management
Pulmonary Embolism III: Nursing Management