DEEP VENOUS THROMBOSIS AND TREATMENT PROCEDURES (EXPERIENCE WITH 505 PATIENTS)

Background: Deep venous thrombosis is a serious health problem, which can be seen in whole population, especially in people who are operated on, and has negative effects on life quality. The ratios of complications and recovery of heparinization applied to the patients diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis, fibrinolytic therapy, thrombectomy and pulmonary embolectomy were examined retrospectively by the purpose of presenting the approach of the clinic of cardiovascular surgery of Atatürk Üniversity.

Methods: Data from 505 patients that were treated in our Cardiovascular clinic between the years 1993–2003 were collected from their records. Two hundred forty (47.5%) of the patients were female whereas 265 (52.5%) were male, with the mean age of 46±22 years. The diagnosis was established in all cases with Doppler ultrasound. Of all cases 95.6% were symptomatic and the most seen complaints were swelling, pain, and flush.

Result: Deep venous thrombosis were mainly (57.6%) located at the left lower extremity. As the initial treatment low molecular weight heparins was administered in 49.3% and standard heparin was given in 50.7%. Thrombolytic therapy was performed in 4.2% and venous thrombectomy was performed in 0.8%. The vena cava filter was placed in 2.4% patients.

Conclusion: The etiology was searched and the diagnosis was supported with doppler ultrasound in cases with deep venous thrombosis. In terms of clinical progress and complications, the early diagnosis and effective treatment are very important. We consider that the low molecular weight heparins according to standard heparin must be preferred for treatment and prophylaxis in deep venous thrombosis. (Turkish J Vasc Surg 2006;15(3):1-13).