The Laterality of Deep Vein Thrombosis in the Pelvic and Lower Extremity Veins

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine whether deep vein thrombosis (DVT) predominantly occurred on a particular side in the pelvic and lower extremity veins. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 259 consecutive patients with leg swelling, 65 were confirmed to have DVT in the pelvis and lower extremities, and enrolled in this study. The serum levels of initial D-dimer, antithrombin III, tissue plasminogen activator, factor VIII, proteins C and S, anticardiolipin antibodies immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgM and lupus anticoagulant were measured and analyzed retrospectively. Lower extremity venous system was divided into 11 anatomic segments on each side, and thrombotic involvement in each segment was recorded to determine the laterality of thrombotic involvement for each patient. The presence of thrombus in a specific vein was assigned using a Thrombus Scoring System (TSS) score of 1. Predominant direction was determined based on the TSS score for each side. RESULTS: Left-side predominat DVT (57%) was most frequent. Patients with both-side equivalent DVT had the highest total TSS score (P=0.022). The predominant side was significantly different between men (right 44.1%) and women (left 74.2%) (P=0.022). Patients with both-side equivalent DVT had the highest mean age (69.3±9.9 years) as well as the highest mean levels of initial D-dimer (13.8±20.7 μg/mL) and anticardiolipin antibody IgM (13.4±22.8 MPL) indicating increased coagulability. CONCLUSION: In the current study, left-side predominant DVT is most frequent in pelvis and lower extremities, and this phenomenon is more apparent in women. And both-side equivalent DVT is associated with the most advanced age and hypercoagulability.