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Reduced calf muscle pump function is a risk factor for venous thromboembolism: a population-based cohort study
Damon E Houghton1,2,3, Aneel Ashrani2, David Liedl3
1Division of Vascular Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular Diseases.
Blood
|March 3, 2021
Summary
Reduced calf muscle pump function increases the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in ambulatory individuals. This finding suggests calf pump function (CPF) could aid in VTE risk assessment.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Medicine
- Thrombosis Research
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The calf muscle pump (CMP) is crucial for venous return in the legs.
- CMP function has not been extensively studied as a risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate calf pump function (CPF) as a potential risk factor for incident venous thromboembolism (VTE).
- To assess the association between reduced CPF and VTE risk in an ambulatory population.
Main Methods:
- A population-based cohort study utilized calf pump function (CPF) measurements from venous plethysmography.
- Data from Olmsted County, Minnesota residents (1998-2015) were analyzed, excluding patients with prior VTE.
- VTE outcomes were validated, and patients with reduced CPF (rCPF) were compared to those with normal CPF.
Main Results:
- Out of 1532 patients, 5.7% developed VTE over a median follow-up of 11.7 years.
- Patients with bilateral rCPF had a 1.68-fold increased risk of VTE after adjustment.
- Legs with reduced CPF showed a 1.71-fold increased risk of ipsilateral deep vein thrombosis.
- Mortality was significantly higher in both unilateral and bilateral rCPF groups.
Conclusions:
- Calf pump function (CPF) is a significant risk factor for VTE in an otherwise low-risk ambulatory population.
- Reduced CPF may be a valuable component for VTE risk stratification models.
- Impaired calf muscle pump function is linked to increased VTE incidence and mortality.
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