Early diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis in female patients who undergo total knee arthroplasty with measurement of P-selectin activation

deviation) of platelets in patients for TKA with healthy venogram results. This differed significantly from platelets in patients for TKA with DVT, who had P-selectin expression of 6.56% ± 3.1% (mean ± standard deviation; P < .01). Sensitivity for the diagnosis of DVT with P-selectin assay was calculated to be 74%, and specificity was found to be 94%. Conclusion: The findings showed that radiologically confirmed DVT in patients for TKA surgery with general anesthesia is associated with an elevated number of activated platelets. Perioperative assessment of P-selectin may predict the early onset of DVT in patients who undergo high risk surgical procedures like TKA. This laboratory assay may help prevent the occurrence of the fatal events caused by DVT with use of early therapeutic intervention, such as heparinization. (J Vasc Surg 2002;35:707-12.)