Incidence and Predictors of Deep Vein Thrombosis in Patients with Elevated Serum D-Dimer Prior to Surgery for Urologic Malignancy

Abstract

Objectives: To analyze the incidence and predictors of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients with elevated D-dimer prior to surgery for urologic malignancy. Methods: Between January 2015 and September 2017, 987 consecutive patients underwent surgery for urologic malignancy under general anesthesia in our institution. Of these, 191 patients underwent preoperative venous ultrasonography of the lower extremities for DVT due to elevated D-dimer. We analyzed the incidence and predictors of DVT in these patients. Results: The median age was 69 years. DVT was detected in 18% of patients (35/191). Multivariate analysis showed that the primary site of urologic malignancy (p < 0.01) and older age (p < 0.01) were independent predictors of DVT. Patients with bladder cancer had the highest incidence of DVT. When bladder cancer and age of 70 or older were defined as predictors for DVT, the incidence of DVT in zero, 1, and 2 predictors was 3.4% (3/89), 29% (22/77), and 44% (11/25), respectively. Conclusions: DVT was found in 18% of patients with elevated D-dimer prior to surgery for urologic malignancy. Bladder cancer patients and older patients in whom D-dimer has been elevated should undergo careful early examination for DVT.