Single Complete Compression Ultrasonography for Suspected Deep Venous Thrombosis: Ideal in Routine Clinical Practice?
Authors: Marc Righini, Henri Bounameaux, Grégoire Le Gal
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2004)

Letters7 December 2004Single Complete Compression Ultrasonography for Suspected Deep Venous Thrombosis: Ideal in Routine Clinical Practice?Marc Righini, MD, Henri Bounameaux, MD, and Grégoire Le Gal, MDMarc Righini, MDFrom Geneva University Hospital, 1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland, and Brest University Hospital, 29629 Brest, France.Search for more papers by this author, Henri Bounameaux, MDFrom Geneva University Hospital, 1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland, and Brest University Hospital, 29629 Brest, France.Search for more papers by this author, and Grégoire Le Gal, MDFrom Geneva University Hospital, 1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland, and Brest University Hospital, 29629 Brest, France.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-141-11-200412070-00017 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:Stevens and colleagues (1) reported that single complete lower-limb compression ultrasonography (that is, including the calf veins) is safe for excluding deep venous thrombosis (DVT). It is interesting to note that previous studies using proximal (that is, not studying the calf veins), serial (2, 3), or single proximal compression ultrasonography associated with clinical probability and d-dimer tests (4) showed similar low 3-month thromboembolic risks. Using a single ultrasonographic examination without clinical probability assessment or d-dimer dosage may be very practical in an outpatient setting. However, even if this kind of strategy has the great advantage of avoiding ...References1. Stevens SM, Elliott CG, Chan KJ, Egger MJ, Ahmed KM. Withholding anticoagulation after a negative result on duplex ultrasonography for suspected symptomatic deep venous thrombosis. Ann Intern Med. 2004;140:985-91. [PMID: 15197015] LinkGoogle Scholar2. Cogo A, Lensing AW, Koopman MM, Piovella F, Siragusa S, Wells PS, et al. Compression ultrasonography for diagnostic management of patients with clinically suspected deep vein thrombosis: prospective cohort study. BMJ. 1998;316:17-20. [PMID: 9451260] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Kraaijenhagen RA, Piovella F, Bernardi E, Verlato F, Beckers EA, Koopman MM, et al. Simplification of the diagnostic management of suspected deep vein thrombosis. Arch Intern Med. 2002;162:907-11. [PMID: 11966342] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Perrier A, Desmarais S, Miron MJ, de Moerloose P, Lepage R, Slosman D, et al. Non-invasive diagnosis of venous thromboembolism in outpatients. Lancet. 1999;353:190-5. [PMID: 9923874] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. Perone N, Bounameaux H, Perrier A. Comparison of four strategies for diagnosing deep vein thrombosis: a cost-effectiveness analysis. Am J Med. 2001;110:33-40. [PMID: 11152863] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. El Kheir D, Büller H. One-time comprehensive ultrasonography to diagnose deep venous thrombosis: is that the solution? [Editorial]. Ann Intern Med. 2004;140:1052-3. [PMID: 15197023] LinkGoogle Scholar7. Schellong SM, Schwarz T, Halbritter K, Beyer J, Siegert G, Oettler W, et al. Complete compression ultrasonography of the leg veins as a single test for the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis. Thromb Haemost. 2003;89:228-34. [PMID: 12574800] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: From Geneva University Hospital, 1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland, and Brest University Hospital, 29629 Brest, France. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoWithholding Anticoagulation after a Negative Result on Duplex Ultrasonography for Suspected Symptomatic Deep Venous Thrombosis Scott M. Stevens , C. Gregory Elliott , Karen J. Chan , Marlene J. Egger , and Kirmanj M. Ahmed One-Time Comprehensive Ultrasonography To Diagnose Deep Venous Thrombosis: Is That the Solution? Dalia El Kheir and Harry Büller Single Complete Compression Ultrasonography for Suspected Deep Venous Thrombosis: Ideal in Routine Clinical Practice? Scott M. Stevens and C. Gregory Elliott Metrics 7 December 2004Volume 141, Issue 11Page: 888-889KeywordsAnticoagulantsD-dimerDeep vein thrombosisMusclesOutpatientsUltrasound imagingVeinsVenous thromboembolism ePublished: 7 December 2004 Issue Published: 7 December 2004 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2004 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...