Superficial Thrombophlebitis and Deep Vein ThrombosisA Controversial Association
Henri Bounameaux, MD;
Marie-Aude Reber-Wasem, MD
Arch Intern Med. 1997;157(16):1822-1824.
Abstract
| |
Background
Superficial thrombophlebitis is a common and benign disease. However, an association with deep vein thrombosis, a more severe condition that requires anticoagulant treatment, has been reported repeatedly with frequencies ranging from 12% to 44%.
Methods
All consecutive records of patients with lower limb superficial thrombophlebitis were retrieved from the laboratory database over a 6-year period (1989-1994), and association with deep vein thrombosis was sought. Also, to detect late events, consultations were registered over a 3-month period after the initial examination. Patients with the association of superficial thrombophlebitis and deep vein thrombosis were also compared with a randomly selected sample of subjects with superficial thrombophlebitis only.
Results
Objectively confirmed deep vein thrombosis was detected in 31 patients (5.6%; 95% confidence interval, 3.8%-7.9%). Additional late thromboembolic events were detected in 1.7% of the patients during the 3-month follow-up period. Previous immobilization was more common among patients with deep vein thrombosis associated with superficial phlebitis (11/31, 36%) than among a randomly selected subset of patients with superficial thrombophlebitis only (13/93, 14%), the difference being statistically significant (P<.02).
Conclusions
When large populations of patients with superficial thrombophlebitis are studied, the association with deep vein thrombosis appears rather small. Thus, systematic screening for deep vein thrombosis may not be warranted in the presence of superficial thrombophlebitis unless additional risk factors (eg, immobilization) are present.
Arch Intern Med. 1997;157:1822-1824
Author Affiliations
From the Division of Angiology and Haemostasis, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
 CiteULike  Connotea  Del.icio.us  Digg  Reddit  Technorati  Twitter
What's this?
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
Superficial Vein Thrombosis and Hypercoagulable States: The Evidence
Leon and Labropoulos
PERSPECT VASC SURG ENDOVASC THER 2005;17:43-46.
ABSTRACT
Liposomal Heparin Spray: A New Formula in Adjunctive Treatment of Superficial Venous Thrombosis
Gorski et al.
ANGIOLOGY 2005;56:9-17.
ABSTRACT
A Pilot Randomized Double-blind Comparison of a Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin, a Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Agent, and Placebo in the Treatment of Superficial Vein Thrombosis
The Superficial Thrombophlebitis Treated by Enoxap
Arch Intern Med 2003;163:1657-1663.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Superficial Thrombophlebitis and Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins
Kalodiki and Nicolaides
ANGIOLOGY 2002;53:659-663.
ABSTRACT
Superficial thrombophlebitis followed by pulmonary embolism
Kesteven and Robinson
JRSM 2001;94:186-187.
FULL TEXT
|
