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Thromb Haemost 1982; 48(03): 297-300
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1657285
Original Article
Schattauer GmbH Stuttgart

Home-Diagnosis of Deep Venous Thrombosis with Impedance Plethysmography

S H A Peters
The Department of Internal Medicine, Municipal Hospital Bergweg and Thrombosis Service, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
,
J J C Jonker
The Department of Internal Medicine, Municipal Hospital Bergweg and Thrombosis Service, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
,
A C de Boer
The Department of Internal Medicine, Municipal Hospital Bergweg and Thrombosis Service, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
,
G J H den Ottolander
The Department of Internal Medicine, Municipal Hospital Bergweg and Thrombosis Service, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 16 August 1982

Accepted 25 October 1982

Publication Date:
13 July 2018 (online)

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Summary

In order to assess the value of I.P.G. for the diagnosis of D.V.T. in general practice, an I.P.G. was carried out by a skilled technician in 255 consecutive patients with suspected D.V.T. at home. Ascending venography was carried out in 185 of these patients. In addition, blood for assay of AT III, platelet count, fibrinogen, a2-antiplasmin, ethanol gelation test and spontaneous platelet aggregation was collected at the time the I.P.G. was performed. In 61 patients (33%) venography showed the presence of D. V.T., and was negative in the remaining 124 patients. I.P.G. was positive in 51 of the 61 patients with D.V.T., a sensitivity of 84%. I.P.G. was normal in 115 of the 124 patients with a negative venogram, a specificity of 93%. The sensitivity of the I.P.G. for proximal vein thrombosis was 92% and for calf vein thrombosis 68%. Mean a2-antiplasmin concentration was significant (p Ã0.05) lower (101 ± 15%, mean ± SD) inpatients with D.V.T. compared with patients with a normal venogram (107 ± 11%, mean ± SD). No differences between the two groups were observed in the other coagulation parameters assayed, and none was of diagnostic value, either alone or in combination with I.P.G. This study shows that I.P.G. is of potential value for the home diagnosis of D.V.T., in particular proximal vein thrombosis. This is potentially clinically useful, because these thrombi are thought to carry a high risk for pulmonary embolism.

Keywords

Deep venous thrombosis - Impedance plethysmography - Home-diagnosis
 

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