Risk factors for lower limb deep vein thrombosis following femoral shaft fracture

Abstract

Objective To analyze the risk factors of lower limb deep vein thrombosis (DVT) following femoral shaft fracture. Methods A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the 67 patients with femoral shaft fracture who had been treated at our department from January 2011 to February 2014. They were 45 men and 22 women, 18 to 55 years of age. A positive result of venous contrast examination was taken as the gold standard for diagnosis of lower limb DVT. There were 18 patients in the DVT group (26.9%) and 49 in the non-DVT group (73.1%). The data were analyzed concerning general clinical information, fracture type, complications, vascular injury, D-dimer level, venous ultrasonography, venous contrast examination, anesthesia methods, operative methods, operation time and bleeding volume. The risk factors of DVT were determined using Logistic regression analysis. Results Complex fracture (OR=3.773, P=0.038), combined vascular injury (OR=2.603, P=0.002), increased D-dimer level (OR=1.697, P=0.002), and positive result of venous ultrasonography (OR=3.068, P< 0.001) were identified as the independent risk factors for lower limb DVT. Conclusions The major risk factors of lower limb DVT following femoral shaft fracture are complex fracture and vascular injury. The main screening methods of lower limb DVT are D-dimer level test and venous ultrasonography. Key words: Femoral fracture; Venous thrombosis; Risk factors