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Updated: Nov 10, 2025
Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Screening for Proximal Lower Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis
Published on: February 10, 2023
Screening for Deep Vein Thrombosis in Persons With COVID-19 Upon Admission to an Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital
Steven C Kirshblum1, Gabrielle DeLauter, Fatma Eren
1From the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, West Orange, New Jersey (SCK, BP, RD, BMG); Rutgers NJ Medical School, Newark, New Jersey (SCK, FE, BP, BMG); Kessler Foundation, West Orange, New Jersey (SCK, FE, BMG); and Select Medical Corporation, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania (SCK, GD, BP, SH, BMG).
Insights
A study found that 22% of COVID-19 patients admitted to rehabilitation had deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Male sex, younger age, and ventilator use were identified as risk factors for DVT in these patients.
Area of Science:
- Medical Research
- Cardiology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- COVID-19 infection is associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolic disorders.
- Early detection of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is crucial for patients recovering from severe COVID-19.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of DVT in COVID-19 patients admitted to inpatient rehabilitation.
- To identify risk factors associated with DVT in this patient population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of consecutive COVID-19 patients admitted to rehabilitation hospitals.
- Duplex ultrasound of lower limbs performed upon admission to screen for DVT.
- Analysis of potential risk factors for positive DVT screening.
Main Results:
- DVT was diagnosed in 22% (25/113) of patients, with 7.1% having proximal DVT.
- Identified risk factors for DVT included being male, younger age, and prior ventilator use during acute illness.
Conclusions:
- A significant prevalence of DVT exists in COVID-19 patients admitted to rehabilitation.
- Surveillance for DVT is recommended in patients recovering from severe COVID-19 due to considerable risk.
Objective:
The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of deep venous thrombosis detected by duplex screening and risk factors associated with deep venous thrombosis in patients with COVID-19 upon admission to an inpatient rehabilitation hospital.
Design:
This is a retrospective review.
Setting:
The setting is three freestanding inpatient rehabilitation hospitals operating as one system.
Participants:
The participants are consecutive patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19 admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation hospital without a diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis or screening duplex ultrasound prior to transfer.
Interventions:
A duplex ultrasound of lower limbs was performed upon admission to inpatient rehabilitation hospital.
Outcome Measures:
Primary outcome was the percentage of admission patients with a lower limb deep venous thrombosis. Secondary factors included potential risk factors for a positive screen for deep venous thrombosis.
Results:
A lower limb deep venous thrombosis was diagnosed in 22% (25/113) of the patients tested, with eight patients (7.1%) having a proximal deep venous thrombosis. Risk factors for screening positive for a deep venous thrombosis included being male, younger, and having been on a ventilator during the acute illness.
Conclusions:
The high rate of deep venous thrombosis observed in these patients suggests that the risk of venous thromboembolic disorders after severe COVID-19 illness is considerable and surveillance measures of such patients should be undertaken.
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