Journal List > J Korean Acad Nurs > v.42(3) > 1002818

Kim, Cho, Cho, and Kim: Risk Factors and Features of Critically Ill Patients with Deep Vein Thrombosis in Lower Extremities

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to identify the features, risk scores and risk factors for deep vein thrombosis in critically ill patients who developed deep vein thrombosis in their lower extremities.

Methods

The participants in this prospective descriptive study were 175 adult patients who did not receive any prophylactic medication or mechanical therapy during their admission in the intensive care unit.

Results

The mean age was 62.24 (± 17.28) years. Men made up 54.9% of the participating patients. There were significant differences in age, body mass index, and leg swelling between patients who developed deep vein thrombosis and those who did not have deep vein thrombosis. The mean risk score was 6.71(± 2.94) and they had on average 4.01(± 1.35) risk factors. In the multiple logistic regression, body mass index (odds ratio= 1.14) and leg swelling (odds ratio= 6.05) were significant predictors of deep vein thrombosis.

Conclusion

Most critically ill patients are in the potentially high risk group for deep vein thrombosis. However, patients who are elderly, obese or have leg edema should be closely assessed and more than one type of active prophylactic intervention should be provided.

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Table 1.
Characteristics of Participants with DVT and without DVT (N=175)
Characteristics Categories n (%) or M±SD DVT(+) (n=27) DVT(-) (n=148) χ2 or F or t (p)
Age (yr) 62.24±17.28 69.56±12.57 60.91±17.72 -3.06 (.004)
BMI (kg/m2), (N=152) 22.29±3.95 24.35±4.5 21.98±3.78 -2.54 (.012)
ICU stay (days) 13.09±13.43 16.04±15.06 12.55±13.01 -1.24 (.215)
DVT risk scores 6.71±2.94 7.22±2.78 6.62±2.97 -0.98 (.330)
DVT risk level low (0-1) 1 (0.6) 0 (0.0) 1 (0.7)
Moderate (2) 7 (4.0) 1 (3.7) 6 (4.1) (.865)*
High (3-4) 34 (19.4) 4 (14.8) 30 (20.3)
Highest (≥5) 133 (76.0) 22 (81.5) 111 (75.0)
Gender Male 96 (54.9) 17 (63.0) 79 (53.4) 0.85 (.405)
Female 79 (45.1) 10 (37.0) 69 (46.6)
Ward MICU 61 (35.0) 13 (48.1) 48 (32.7) 2.41(.130)
SICU 113 (65.0) 14 (51.9) 99 (67.3)
Operation No 118 (67.4) 20 (74.1) 98 (66.2) 0.64 (.507)
Yes 57 (32.6) 7 (25.9) 50 (33.8)
Severity Level 3 1 (0.6) 0 (0.0) 1 (0.7) 0.19 (.911)
Level 4 26 (14.9) 4 (14.8) 22 (15.0)
Level 5 147 (84.5) 23 (85.2) 124 (84.3)
Level of consciousness Alert 38 (21.7) 5 (18.5) 33 (22.3) 1.54 (.674)
Drowsy 45 (25.7) 6 (22.2) 39 (26.4)
Stupor 31 (17.7) 7 (25.9) 24 (16.2)
Coma/Sedation 61 (34.9) 9 (33.3) 52 (35.1)
Mortality Death 31 (17.7) 4 (14.8) 27 (18.2) 0.18 (.668)
Alive 144 (82.3) 23 (85.2) 121 (81.8)
Swollen legs No 167 (95.4) 23 (85.2) 144 (97.3) (.021)*
Yes 8 (4.6) 4 (14.8) 4 (2.7)
Pneumonia No 156 (89.1) 23 (85.2) 133 (89.9) (.501)*
(<1 month) Yes 19 (10.9) 4 (14.8) 15 (10.1)
History of prior major surgery No 166 (94.9) 26 (96.3) 140 (94.6) (1.000)*
(<1 month) Yes 9 (5.1) 1 (3.7) 8 (5.4)
Central venous No 77 (44.0) 14 (51.9) 63 (42.6) 0.80 (.404)
access Yes 98 (56.0) 13 (48.1) 85 (57.4)
Mechanical No 55 (31.4) 8 (29.6) 47 (31.8) 0.04 (1.000)
ventilation Yes 120 (68.6) 19 (70.4) 101 (68.2)
Malignancy No 147 (84.0) 20 (74.1) 127 (85.8) 2.34 (.152)
(present or previous) Yes 28 (16.0) 7 (25.9) 21 (14.2)
Chronic obstructive No 169 (96.6) 25 (92.6) 144 (97.3) (.232)*
pulmonary disease Yes 6 (3.4) 2 (7.4) 4 (2.7)
Patients confined to No 133 (76.0) 20 (74.1) 113 (76.4) 0.07 (.809)
bed (>72 hours) Yes 42 (24.0) 7 (25.9) 35 (23.6)

BMI=Body mass index; ICU=Intensive care unit; DVT=Deep vein thrombosis; MICU=Medical intensive care unit; SICU=Surgery intentive care unit.

* Fisher's Exact test result;

Measured by Workload Management System for Critical Care Nurses (WMSCN).

Table 2.
Risk Factors and Scores of DVT in ICU Patients (N=175)
Risk factor Risk score n (%)
Currently at bed rest 1 131 (74.9)
Mechanical ventilator therapy 120 (68.6)
Age 41-60 yrs 55 (31.4)
Pneumonia (<1 month) 19 (10.9)
Prior major surgery (<1 month) 9 (5.1)
Swollen legs (current) 8 (4.6)
Acute myocardial infarction 6 (3.4)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 6 (3.4)
Sepsis (<1 month) 2 (1.1)
Congestive heart failure (<1 month) 1 (0.6)
Central venous catheter 2 98 (56.0)
Major surgery (>45 minutes) 58 (33.1)
Age 61-74 yrs 55 (31.4)
Confined to bed (>72 hours) 42 (24.0)
Malignancy (present or previous) 28 (16.0)
Immobilizing plaster cast (<1 month) 3 (1.7)
Age over 75 yrs 3 45 (25.7)
Hip, pelvis or leg fracture (<1 month) 6 (3.4)
History of DVT/VE 1 (0.6)
Stroke (<1 month) 5 5 (2.9)
Multiple trauma (<1 month) 5 (2.9)
Acute spinal cord injury (paralysis,<1 month) 2 (1.1)
Elective major lower extremity arthroplasty 1 (0.6)

ICU=Intensive care unit.

Table 3.
The Predictors of Developing DVT in Lower Extremities
Characteristics B 95% Confidence interval
Odds ratio p
Lower Upper
BMI 0.13 1.00 1.28 1.14 .045
Swollen legs 1.80 1.30 28.16 6.05 .022

BMI=Body mass index.