Superficial vein thrombosis linked to DVT risk

About one-quarter of patients with superficial vein thrombosis also may have deep vein thrombosis (DVT), according to a new report.
The report followed a study in which doctors in Austria followed 46 consecutive patients with superficial vein thrombosis between November 2006 and June 2007.

All patients underwent colour-coded duplex sonography, an imaging test, to confirm superficial vein thrombosis and exclude or detect DVT.
Participants also reported their history of clotting events, use of oral contraceptives and compression stockings, any recent immobilisation and active malignant disease.
Laboratory tests included D-dimer levels, a measure of protein fragments that tends to be elevated in patients with deep vein thrombosis. DVT was detected in 24 per cent of patients with superficial vein thrombosis and was usually asymptomatic.
Deep vein thrombosis occurred in the same leg as superficial vein thrombosis in 73 per cent of the patients, in the other leg in 9 per cent and in both legs in 18 per cent.
“Generally, superficial vein thrombosis is regarded as a condition with an uncomplicated course and usually is not considered to be a severe or life-threatening disease,” the doctors commented.
“However, the occurrence of concomitant deep vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism may lead to severe complications.
The results of this study indicate that concurrent deep vein thrombosis is more likely when superficial vein thrombosis affects the lower leg. In these cases, the deep veins should be assessed by colour-coded duplex sonography to exclude or confirm acute deep vein thrombosis.”
Archives of Dermatology 2009;145:753-757