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    Venous thromboembolism, including deep-vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is a major source of morbidity and mortality among elderly patients. To improve our understanding of elderly patients with deep-vein thrombosis, we compared 1932 patients with deep-vein thrombosis aged 70 years or older with 2554 nonelderly patients in a prospective registry of consecutive ultrasound-confirmed deep-vein thrombosis patients. The mean age of elderly patients was 78.9 +/- 6.1 years compared with 51.8 +/- 12.9 years in nonelderly (P < .0001). Elderly patients were more likely to have prior recent hospitalization (49.2% vs 44.7%, P = .03), congestive heart failure (20.5% vs 9.9%, P < .0001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (18.2% vs 11.7%, P < .0001), and recent immobilization (50.5% vs 39.6%, P < .0001) than the nonelderly patients. Elderly patients were less likely to present with typical deep-vein thrombosis symptoms of extremity discomfort (44.4% vs 60.6%, P < .0001) and difficulty ambulating (8.4% vs 11.2%, P = .002). Only 41% of elderly patients subsequently diagnosed with deep-vein thrombosis had received any venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. In conclusion, elderly patients with deep-vein thrombosis represent a particularly vulnerable population with numerous comorbid conditions. Diagnosis can present a challenge because typical deep-vein thrombosis symptoms may be absent. Fewer than 50% of elderly patients with deep-vein thrombosis had received any venous thromboembolism prophylaxis.
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    Twenty-two patients who had an acute episode of thrombosis in the deep veins of the legs were studied by a new technique of ascending functional cinephlebography 6 to 12 months after the episode of thrombosis.If the condition was diagnosed within 36 hours and the thrombus was dissolved rapidly valve function was preserved. When diagnosis was delayed there was a very great risk of permanent damage to the valves.
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    The upper extremity deep vein thrombosis rate is increasing at the same time that the rate for insertions of peripherally inserted central catheters is on the rise. There is little information on whether the established risk factors for lower extremity deep vein thromboses are effective to predict the occurrence of upper extremity deep vein thrombosis. The purpose of this study was to identify patients at highest risk for upper extremity deep vein thrombosis in order to initiate effective prophylaxis. A retrospective review was undertaken of medical records of all patients with peripherally inserted central catheters inserted in a 6-month period at a Midwestern US hospital. Of the 233 charts reviewed, 17 (7.3%) recorded an upper extremity deep vein thrombosis during the patient's hospital stay. Of the multiple factors identified with deep vein thrombosis in the literature, a weighted risk factor measure, the upper extremity deep vein thrombosis prediction tool, was developed. Sensitivity of the instrument for upper extremity deep vein thrombosis is high (88%), as are its specificity (82%) and negative predictive value (99%), whereas the positive predictive value is low (28%). The total percentage of cases correctly classified is 82%. Further testing is indicated on a larger sample to extend the validity of this instrument.
    Isolated calf vein thrombosis in the population of patients with deep vein thrombosis is found approximately in 10 to 25 % of cases. We present 3 cases of calf vein thrombosis which occurred due to unusual causes. Specific characteristics of this form of thromboembolic disease are discussed and compared to proximal deep vein thrombosis with emphasis to symptoms, risk of complications, prognosis and therapeutic approach.
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    Hip Fracture
    Hip surgery
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    Objective To investigate how to prevent deep-vein thrombosis(DVT) after total knee replace-ment(TKR).Methods Deep vein thrombosis in 87 patients after TKR from 2004 to 2007 in the Third Hospital Affiliated to Suzhou University was retrospectively analyzed.Results Amony the 87 patients,13 were found having deep vein thrombosis,5 of 38 using low-molecular-weight beparin after TKR having deep vein thrombosis,6 of 35 cases using aspirin after TKR having deep vein thrombosis,5 of the 10 eases using mechanical preventive measures having deep vein thrombosis.The difference between low-molecular-weight heparin and aspirin group was not statistically significant.Conclusion Using low-molecular-weight heparin before TKR can prevent the occurrence of deep-vein thrombosis.Using epidural anesthesia,and a low-molee-ular-weight heparin drugs or aspirin after TKR can better prevent the formation of deep-vein thrombosis. Key words: total knee replacement; deep-vein thrombosis; prevention
    In general medical patients presenting with suspected deep vein thrombosis routine use of x ray venography was associated with a large fall in the proportion of patients with a final diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis, from 83% to 25% (p less than 0.001), and with an appreciable shortening of hospital stay, from 13.6 to 7.2 days. The diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis was rejected in only 4% of patients when a venogram was not performed, and it is estimated that two patients were treated with anticoagulants unnecessarily for every patient treated correctly. The risk, expense, and inconvenience of unnecessary anticoagulant treatment far exceeds the risk, expense, and inconvenience of performing venograms routinely. The common practice of misdiagnosing deep vein thrombosis clinically should be abandoned.
    Venography
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    Deep vein thrombosis affects many hospitalized patients because of decreased activity and therapeutic equipment. This article reviews known risk factors for developing deep vein thrombosis, current prevention methods, and current evidence-based guidelines in order to raise nurses' awareness of early prevention methods in all hospitalized patients. Early prophylaxis can reduce patient risk of deep vein thrombosis and its complications.