Deep vein thrombosis: a negative venogram safely excluded DVT.

Clinical bottom line (level 4)

  1. Around 2% of patients with a negative venogram developed deep vein thrombosis.
Hull et al: Circulation 1981; 64 (3): 622-624
Expires September 2003

The study

Prospective cohort study with ?objective ?blinded outcomes, not adjusted for confounding factors, not validated in an independent set of patients.

Setting: university hospital, Canada

160 patients (aged range 17 to 84 years; mean 51, 59% female) suspected deep vein thrombosis and a negative venogram
Patients were not anticoagulated.

100% followed for 3 months
Outcomes studied:
  • deep vein thrombosis diagnosed by impedance plethysmography and venogram

    • The evidence

    outcome time to outcome number of patients/total number %
    (95% CI)
    deep vein thrombosis 3 months 2/160 1.3%
    (0.0% to 3.0%)

    • Both DVTs occurred within one week of venogram.

    Citation

    1. Hull R, Hirsh J, Sackett DL, et al: Clinical validity of a negative venogram in patients with clinically suspected venous thrombosis. Circulation 1981; 64 (3): 622-624
    Contributor: Chris Ball and Clare Wotton, May 2000
    Reviewer:

    Clinical Question.
    Patient suspected DVT
    Intervention or Exposure negative venogram
    Outcome DVT