Importance of pretest probability score and D-dimer assay before sonography for lower limb deep venous thrombosis

Rathan M. Subramaniam, Tina Chou, Rebekah Heath, Robin Allen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Scopus citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of our study was to develop and validate a clinical score (the Hamilton score) for the assessment of lower limb deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and to determine the usefulness of this score and a D-dimer assay before a complete lower limb sonographic examination. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Five hundred forty-two consecutive ambulatory patients presenting to the emergency department were prospectively recruited, of whom 16 patients were excluded from the study. Eighteen history and examination variables were collected by the emergency department physicians. The Simplify D-dimer assay and a complete, single lower limb sonographic examination were performed in all patients. All patients with a negative sonographic examination for DVT were followed up for 3 months, and all those with a positive sonographic examination were given anticoagulation therapy. The Hamilton score was developed using the data from the first 214 patients and was prospectively validated in the next 312 patients. RESULTS. The most significant factors associated with a diagnosis of DVT were immobilization of the lower limb, active malignancy, and a strong clinical suspicion of DVT without other diagnostic possibilities by the emergency department physicians. Other factors were bed rest or recent surgery, male sex, calf circumference difference greater than 3 cm, and erythema. The Hamilton score was developed with the following weights: immobilization of the lower limb (2 points), active malignancy (2 points), strong clinical suspicion of DVT without other diagnostic possibilities by the emergency physicians (2 points), bed rest or recent surgery (1 point), male sex (1 point), calf circumference difference greater than 3 cm (1 point), and erythema (1 point). A score of 3 or greater indicates a likely probability for DVT, and a score of 2 or less represents an unlikely probability for DVT. Of the 103 patients with an unlikely probability Hamilton score and a negative D-dimer assay, only one patient had isolated calf DVT. A combined diagnostic strategy of unlikely-probability Hamilton score and a negative D-dimer would have a negative predictive value of 99% (95% confidence interval, 94.7-100%). CONCLUSION. An unlikely-probability Hamilton score and a negative Simplify D-dimer assay effectively exclude lower limb DVT, and a sonographic examination is unnecessary in this group of ambulatory emergency department patients.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)206-212
Number of pages7
JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology
Volume186
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2006
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Deep venous thrombosis
  • Hamilton score
  • Simplify D-dimer assay
  • Sonography
  • Veins

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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