Association between hypertension and deep vein thrombosis after orthopedic surgery: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: We aimed to analyze the association between hypertension and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after orthopedic surgery. METHODS: Relevant studies were identified by a search of PubMed, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, the Chinese Biomedical Literature, and Weipu database until December 2015. The association between hypertension and DVT after orthopedic surgery was assessed by pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity was evaluated by the Chi-square test based on Q statistic and I(2) statistics. Finally, publication bias was evaluated by Egger’s test. RESULTS: A total of 16 articles with 68,955 males and 53,057 females were eventually identified. Studies yielded effects for homogeneous (Q = 38.41, P = 0.0008, and I(2) = 60.9 %). Meta-analysis showed that hypertension was associated with DVT orthopedic surgery (OR 2.89, 95 % CI 2.18–3.83, Z = 7.38, P < 0.05). No statistical evidence of publication bias was found among studies (t = 1.90, P = 0.08). The funnel plot was symmetry, and the results were reliable. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertension may promote DVT after orthopedic surgery, and may be an important risk factor of DVT occurrence.