Prediction of postoperative deep-vein thrombosis

Prediction of patients at sufficiently high risk of postoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) to indicate perioperative antithrombotic prophylaxis usually employs only clinical risk factors. Studies of preoperative and/or postoperative haemostatic tests in the prediction of postoperative DVT are reviewed. In general, the results support the biological concept of a preoperative and postoperative prothrombotic tendency in patients who develop DVT. However, the clinical utility of such tests is unproven; so at present they cannot be advocated for routine preoperative or postoperative screening.