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Int J Angiol 2001; 10(2): 103-105
DOI: 10.1007/BF01616413
Original Articles

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Validation study for use of an algorithm for the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis in out-patients

Elie D. Aboulafia1 2 , Joann Liebow, Mariya Gesina
  • 1Clinical Professor of Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan,
  • 2Clinical Professor of Surgery, Michigan State University (COM), East Lansing, Michigan
Presented in part at the 42nd Annual World Congress International College of Angiology, San Diego, California, June 2000.
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Publication History

Publication Date:
24 April 2011 (online)

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Abstract

In a previous study we demonstrated that the use of an algorithm can decrease unnecessary emergency venous duplex evaluations (VDE) in out-patients and increase the percentage of positive yields. The present study was undertaken to validate the safety of following such an algorithm. During a six month period we suspended the application of the algorithm and performed VDE on all requests for out-patients. A total of 94 requests were received from the Emergency Department and all were honored. Of the 94 out-patients who underwent emergency VDE for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), eleven were positive for DVT (11.8%) and 83 were negative (88.2%). Had the algorithm been applied for patients screening, all the 11 positive studies would have gone to emergency VDE (100%). 10 patients had proximal DVT and 1 had isolated peroneal DVT. The application of an algorithm for inclusion/exclusion of out-patients for emergency VDE is a safe and effective means for limiting emergency access to the non-invasive vascular laboratory.