Fibrinolysis Index as a new predictor of deep vein thrombosis after traumatic lower extremity fractures

Abstract

BackgroundDeep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common complication in patients with traumatic injury. The purpose of this study was to develop a potential predictor of DVT. MethodsThis case-control study enrolled adult trauma patients and healthy volunteers. Patients underwent angiography before surgery to diagnose DVT. Patients with or without DVT were matched by gender, age and fracture sites. Laboratory parameters included lysis potential (LP), lysis time (LT), blood cell counts, conventional coagulation tests, tissue plasminogen activator inhibitor complex (tPAIC) and others. Results41 of 319 patients with DVT were matched with 41 patients without DVT and 80 healthy volunteers were controls. LP and LT were significantly decreased in patients with DVT than without (P = 0.043 and P = 0.014, respectively). The level of tPAIC in the DVT group was significantly higher than in patients without DVT (P = 0.042). We defined the Fibrinolysis Index as (−10.707) × LP + (−0.607) × LT (min) + 0.012 × fibrinogen (mg/dl) + 0.299 × tPAIC (ng/ml) + 9.917, and found that the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the Fibrinolysis Index was 0.802, making it a novel indicator. ConclusionThe Fibrinolysis Index represents a new discriminator for predicting DVT after traumatic lower extremity fractures.