Association Between Asymptomatic Proximal Deep Vein Thrombosis and Mortality in Acutely Ill Medical Patients

BACKGROUND: Asymptomatic proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is an end point frequently used to evaluate the efficacy of anticoagulant thromboprophylaxis in medical patients. Recently, the clinical relevance of asymptomatic DVT has been challenged. METHODS AND RESULTS: The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between asymptomatic proximal DVT and all-cause mortality (ACM) using a cohort analysis of a randomized trial for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in acutely ill medical patients. Patients who received at least 1 dose of study drug and had an adequate compression ultrasound examination of the legs on either day 10 or day 35 were categorized into 1 of 3 cohorts: no VTE, asymptomatic proximal DVT, or symptomatic DVT. Cox proportional hazards model, with adjustment for significant independent predictors of mortality, were used to compare the incidences of ACM. Of the 7036 patients, 6776 had no VTE, 236 had asymptomatic DVT, and 24 had symptomatic VTE. The incidence of ACM was 4.8% in patients without VTE. Both asymptomatic proximal DVT (mortality, 11.4%; hazard ratio [HR], 2.31; 95% CI, 1.52-3.51; P<0.0001) and symptomatic VTE (mortality, 29.2%; HR, 9.42; 95% CI, 4.18-21.20; P<0.0001) were independently associated with significant increases in ACM. The analysis was post hoc, and ultrasound results were not available for all patients. Adjustment for baseline variables significantly associated with ACM may not fully compensate for differences. CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic proximal DVT is associated with higher ACM than no VTE and remains a relevant end point to evaluate the efficacy of anticoagulant thromboprophylaxis in medical patients.

Automated summary

The study found a significant association between asymptomatic proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and all-cause mortality, with a higher mortality rate compared to patients without VTE, similar to symptomatic VTE. This suggests that asymptomatic proximal DVT remains an important endpoint in evaluating the efficacy of anticoagulant thromboprophylaxis in medical patients.