DEEP VENOUS THROMBOSIS IN PATIENTS OF INTENSIVE CARE UNITS PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common and serious barrier affecting hospitalized patients. Critically ill patients in intensive care units have risk factors increasing threat of a deep vein thrombosis. Nevertheless the data in this topic is lacking.

Patients and Methods: One hundred and sixty three patients (53.6% male) in surgery, pulmonary and neurology intensive care units were studied during this cross sectional study in Imam Hospital during an 18 month period. Prevalence of deep vein thrombosis was estimated in each ward and separately in: smokers patients with cardio-pulmonary disease diabetes mellitus and history of major surgery malignancy or previous deep vein thrombosis 48 hours after admission and also Doppler sonography was used.

Results: Prevalence of deep vein thrombosis was 53.6%, 46.3% and 45.3% in surgery, pulmonary and neurology intensive care units respectively and 48.5% in general ( 35.7%, 31.2%, 21.7% and 28.3% in patients receiving prophylaxis). 53.6% were older than 40. The rate was 62% in smokers 55.6%in cardio-pulmonary patients 72% in patients after a major surgery 51.6% in diabetics 1.8% in patients with a malignancy and 1.2% in patients with history of a previous DVT. DVT was more common in veins of leg, femur, and pelvis and most of them were acute.

Conclusion: Prevalence of deep vein thrombosis in our study population especially in patients receiving a prophylaxis is higher than other reports. Considerate use of pharmacologic and clinical methods of prophylaxis is recommended.