High Mortality And Venous Thromboembolism Risk Following Major Penetrating Abdominal Venous Injuries

Background Penetrating injuries to the inferior vena cava and/or iliac veins are a source of hemorrhage but may also predispose patients to venous thromboembolism (VTE). We sought to determine the relationship between iliocaval injury, VTE and mortality. Methods The National Trauma Data Bank was queried for penetrating abdominal trauma from 2015–2017. Univariate analyses compared baseline characteristics and outcomes based on presence of iliocaval injury. Multivariable analyses determined the effect of iliocaval injury on VTE and mortality. Results Of 9,974 patients with penetrating abdominal trauma, 329 had iliocaval injury (3.3%). Iliocaval injury patients were more likely to have a firearm mechanism (83% vs. 43%, P Conclusion Iliocaval injuries occur in