Deep venous thrombosis: predictive value of signs and symptoms

The clinical history, signs, symptoms, and laboratory and radiographic results of 154 consecutive patients who had contrast phlebography for evaluation of deep venous thrombosis were evaluated retrospectively to determine their relationship to deep venous thrombosis. Malignancy, history of recent blood transfusions, recent surgery, congestive heart failure, immobility, and infection exhibited the strongest correlation with acute thrombophlebitis. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed to demonstrate the additive value of certain signs and symptoms in predicting the development of or protection from deep venous thrombosis. With these curves, a cutoff point can be selected for this population that will aid in determining which patients should undergo further diagnosis and/or treatment in the evaluation of deep venous thrombosis.