Risk of Pulmonary Embolism in Patients With Isolated Great Saphenous Vein Thrombus

Akshya Gupta1, Vijay Pandya, Timothy Baran

  • 1Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY.

Ultrasound Quarterly
|September 7, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Pulmonary embolism (PE) risk is not elevated in isolated great saphenous vein (GSV) thrombosis. However, concurrent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) significantly increases PE risk in GSV thrombosis patients.

Area of Science:

  • Vascular Surgery
  • Cardiology
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Isolated great saphenous vein (GSV) thrombosis risks are debated.
  • Understanding pulmonary embolism (PE) risk is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the PE risk in patients with isolated GSV thrombosis.
  • To assess if GSV thrombus near the sapheno-femoral junction impacts PE risk.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of lower extremity venous ultrasounds (2011-2016).
  • Stratified patients into: isolated GSV thrombus, GSV thrombus with deep venous thrombosis (DVT), and normal controls.
  • PE diagnosis confirmed via CT angiogram or V/Q scan within 60 days.

Main Results:

  • No significant difference in PE risk between isolated GSV thrombosis (3.5%) and normal controls (2.0%).
  • GSV thrombosis with concomitant DVT showed a significantly higher PE risk (26.5%) compared to isolated GSV thrombosis (P=0.01).

Conclusions:

  • Isolated GSV thrombosis does not significantly increase PE risk compared to a healthy cohort.
  • Concomitant DVT is a critical factor for elevated PE risk in GSV thrombosis patients.

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