TITLE:
Outcome of Patients with Lower Limbs Deep Vein Thrombosis at the University Hospital of Brazzaville (The Republic of the Congo)
AUTHORS:
Stéphane Méo Ikama, Eric Gibrel Kimbally Kaky, Jospin Makani, Fresnel Ngoma Mabondzo, Thibaut Naïbe Gankama, Bijou Moualengue, Suzy Gisèle Kimbally Kaky
KEYWORDS:
Deep Vein Thrombosis, Reassessment, Complications, Congo
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases,
Vol.13 No.12,
December
22,
2023
ABSTRACT: The aim
of this study was to describe the characteristics of patients with deep vein
thrombosis (DVT) of the pelvic limbs at the time of diagnosis, and their course
after hospitalization, in order to improve the management of DVT in our
context. This was a descriptive longitudinal study, based on cases of deep vein
thrombosis recorded between 1 January 2015 and 30 September 2018, in the
cardiology and internal medicine department of the Brazzaville University
Hospital Centre. During the study period, 4678 patients were hospitalized, including 52 with DVT.
Thirty-three were reassessed. The frequency of DVT was 1.1% and the average
hospitalization
rate was 13.9 cases/year. The 33 patients were divided into 20 women and 13 men
(sex ratio: 0.65). The mean age of the patients was 51.4 ± 17.8 years (extremes:
16 and 85 years). The main aetiological factors were cancer (19.1%), sickle
cell disease (3%) and HIV immunosuppression (3%). The predominant risk factors
were: prolonged immobilization
(42.9%), pregnancy, long travel and obesity in the same number of cases (n = 3, i.e. 14.2%). The DVT involved the
left pelvic limb in 75.8% of cases. Anticoagulants were administered in all
patients, and compression stockings were worn in 97% of cases. The mean time to
re-evaluation was 10.9 ± 9.4 months (extremes: three and 35 months). The mean
measurements of the limb where the thrombosis had occurred at diagnosis and
reassessment showed a significant difference. Venous Doppler showed
compressible veins (60.6%), varicosities (36.3%), incompressible veins (30.3%)
and thrombus (21.2%). Complications were: post-phlebitic disease (42.4%), death
(21.2%), pulmonary embolism (18.2%), recurrence (18.2%). The DVT remains
relatively rare, and its conventional therapeutic management is satisfactory.
Systematic venous Doppler ultrasound reassessment should enable patients at
risk of recurrence to be identified.