Is colour Doppler ultrasound a sensitive screening method in diagnosing deep vein thrombosis after hip surgery?

Comparative study published in Thromb Haemost (1996)

Última actualización: 18 de junio de 2026Revisado por: ASH Editorial Board

Artículo de investigación — revisión de evidenciaReferencia del artículo

Evidence: Observational studyFarmacología salivalDesarrollo de fármacosMagnusson M et al. · Thromb Haemost, 1996

Abstract

Patients under going orthopedic surgery are at high risk of developing deep vein thrombosis. One hundred and thirty-eight consecutive patients undergoing total hip replacement or hip fracture surgery were included in this study. They were surveilled with colour Doppler ultrasound (CDU) and bilateral ascending contrast phlebography. The prevalence of proximal and distal DVT in this study was 5.8% and 20.3% respectively. CDU has a satisfactory sensitivity in patients with symptomatic deep vein thrombosis, especially in the proximal region. These results could not be confirmed in the present study of asymptomatic patients. The sensitivity was 62.5% (95% confidence interval: C.I. 24-91%) and the specificity 99.6% (C.I. 98-100%) for proximal DVT; 53.6% (C.I. 34-73%) and 98% (C.I. 96-99%) respectively for distal thrombi. the overall sensitivity was 58.1% (C.I. 39-75%) and the specificity 98% (C.I. 96-99%). The positive predictive value was 83.3% (C.I. 36-99%) and 75% (C.I. 51-91%) for proximal and distal DVT respectively. The negative predictive value was 98.9% (C.I. 98-100%) and 94.9% (C.I. 92-98%) for proximal and distal DVT respectively. The results of this study showed that even with a highly specialised and experienced investigator the sensitivity of CDU was too low to make it suitable for screening purposes in a high risk surgical population.

Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.

Publication typeComparative StudyJournal Article

Indexed MeSH termsAnticoagulantsDalteparinDextransHip FracturesHip ProsthesisHirudin TherapyHirudinsHumansIncidencePhlebographyPostoperative CarePostoperative Complications

Resumen

138 patients with total hip replacement; CDU sensitivity 58.1% vs phlebography; insufficient sensitivity for routine asymptomatic screening despite use of hirudin DVT prophylaxis.

Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia

Este estudio evaluó la ecografía Doppler color (CDU) como herramienta de cribado para la trombosis venosa profunda en 138 pacientes consecutivos sometidos a artroplastia total de cadera o cirugía por fractura de cadera, comparándola con la flebografía ascendente bilateral con contraste. Se reportó una sensibilidad global del 58,1 % y una especificidad del 98 %, concluyendo que la sensibilidad de la CDU era demasiado baja para el cribado en esta población quirúrgica de alto riesgo. Su relevancia para la ASH es solo indirecta: el estudio se refiere a imágenes diagnósticas tras cirugía de cadera y no investiga la hirudoterapia, el secretoma de la sanguijuela, ni ninguna intervención anticoagulante. En el resumen no se discuten hallazgos, conclusiones ni agentes relacionados con la sanguijuela.