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The saline dilution test--a preoperative predictor of DVT
The British Journal of Surgery
|January 1, 1980
Summary
Diluting blood with saline increases its clotting ability, a change measurable by thrombelastography. This increased coagulability predicts the risk of deep venous thrombosis after surgery.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Hematology
- Surgical Research
Background:
- Postoperative deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a significant complication.
- Accurate prediction of DVT risk is crucial for patient management.
- Current methods for DVT risk assessment have limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between in vitro blood dilution and coagulability.
- To determine if this relationship predicts postoperative deep venous thrombosis (DVT).
Main Methods:
- Blood samples were diluted in vitro with normal saline.
- Coagulability changes were measured using thrombelastography.
- A cohort of patients undergoing major abdominal surgery was studied preoperatively.
Main Results:
- In vitro blood dilution with normal saline consistently increased blood coagulability.
- The degree of coagulability increase correlated with DVT risk.
- Preoperative testing accurately predicted all DVT cases identified by 125I-fibrinogen scanning.
Conclusions:
- In vitro saline dilution test is a potential predictor of postoperative DVT.
- Thrombelastography can quantify this predictive measure.
- This method may improve DVT risk stratification in surgical patients.