09/01/2016    

RELEVANT RESEARCH

Older Age Associated with DVT in Patients with Isolated Calcaneal Fractures

 

Recently published results showed patients with isolated calcaneal fractures had an incidence of pre-operative deep vein thrombosis that was almost twice as high as any reported in previously published examinations of lower extremity injuries. Researchers compared 159 patients with isolated calcaneal fractures who had pre-operative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) with a cohort of patients who did not have pre-operative DVT. At least 7 days after injury, all patients had a pre-operative duplex ultrasound performed, according to researchers.

 

Results showed 19 patients had pre-operative DVT, with most DVTs presenting distally. Using multiple logistic regression with the presence or absence of a DVT as the outcome variable and patient or injury characteristics as the potential predictor variables, researchers found older age was a risk factor for DVT. According to results, the odds of developing a DVT increased by approximately 6% for every one-year increase in age.

 

Source: Williams JR, et al. J Orthop Trauma. 2016 via Healio.com [8/27/16]