Incidence and risk factors for symptomatic venous thromboembolism following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Purpose To determine the incidence of symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using a large national database and to identify corresponding independent risk factors. Methods The Humana administrative claims database was reviewed for patients undergoing ACL reconstruction from 2007 to 2017. Patient demographics, medical comorbidities, as well as concurrent procedures were recorded. Postoperative incidence of VTE was measured by identifying symptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) at 30 days, 90 days, and 1 year postoperatively. Univariate analysis and binary logistic regression were performed to determine independent risk factors for VTE following surgery. Results A total of 11,977 patients were included in the study. The incidence of VTE was 1.01% (n = 120) and 1.22% (n = 146) at 30 and 90 days, respectively. Analysis of VTE events within the first postoperative year revealed that 69.6% and 84.3% of VTEs occurred within 30 and 90 days of surgery, respectively. Logistic regression identified age >= 45 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.88; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.32-2.68; p < 0.001), inpatient surgery (OR = 2.07; 95% CI 1.01-4.24; p = 0.045), COPD (OR = 1.51; 95% CI 1.02-2.24; p = 0.041), and tobacco use (OR = 1.75; 95% CI 1.17-2.62; p = 0.007), as well as concurrent PCL reconstruction (OR = 3.85; 95% CI 1.71-8.67; p = 0.001), meniscal transplant (OR = 17.68; 95% CI 3.63-85.97; p < 0.001) or osteochondral allograft (OR = 15.73; 95% CI 1.79-138.43; p = 0.013) as independent risk factors for VTE after ACL reconstruction. Conclusions The incidence of symptomatic postoperative VTE is low following ACL reconstruction, with the majority of cases occurring within 90 days of surgery. Risk factors include age >= 45, inpatient surgery, COPD, tobacco use and concurrent PCL reconstruction, meniscal transplant or osteochondral allograft.

Automated summary

The incidence of symptomatic postoperative VTE following ACL reconstruction is low, with the majority of cases occurring within 90 days of surgery. Risk factors include age >= 45, inpatient surgery, COPD, tobacco use, and concurrent procedures such as PCL reconstruction, meniscal transplant, or osteochondral allograft.