The incidence, risk factors, characteristics, and prognosis of recurrent deep venous thrombosis in the contralateral lower extremity

Abstract

BackgroundRecurrent events after a first symptomatic deep venous thrombosis (DVT) are relatively frequent, but little is known about contralateral recurrent DVT (RDVT). MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with a first symptomatic lower extremity DVT between January 2017 and April 2021. The incidence, demographics, risk factors, and prognosis of RDVT were analyzed, with differences compared between patients with contralateral RDVT and those with ipsilateral RDVT. ResultsIn 570 consecutive patients with DVT, 28 patients (4.91%) developed contralateral RDVT, and 49 patients (8.60%) developed ipsilateral RDVT during a mean follow-up of 27.62 ± 14.84 months. Contralateral RDVT was more frequently found in the right lower extremity, whereas ipsilateral RDVT had more left lower extremity involvement. The median follow-up was 12 months until ipsilateral RDVT and 26.5 months until contralateral RDVT. In multivariate Cox analysis, inherited thrombophilia, stent extension with 50% to 100% coverage, autoimmune disease and anticoagulation noncompliance were identified as risk factors for contralateral RDVT. During follow-up, 5 patients (17.86%) with contralateral RDVT and 10 patients (20.41%) with ipsilateral RDVT died (P > .05), with 12 of 15 dying of an underlying malignancy. ConclusionsThe incidence of contralateral RDVT after a first symptomatic DVT is relatively low, and contralateral DVT is strongly associated with stent extension with 50% to 100% coverage, autoimmune disease, anticoagulation noncompliance, and inherited thrombophilia. Compared with ipsilateral RDVT, contralateral RDVT occurs later and is more often in the right lower extremity. Survival following contralateral RDVT is similar to survival following ipsilateral RDVT, with underlying malignancy being the leading cause of death.