Method and duration of limb immobilization associating with deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremity after carotid artery stenting

Objective To analyze the association of the deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the lower extremity with age and blood coagulation function of the patients and the method and duration of limb immobilization after carotid artery stenting (CAS). Methods Total 417 patients undergoing CAS in our department from January, 2010 to January, 2015 were enrolled in this study. Preoperative Doppler sonography for DVT of the lower extremity was performed. According to the results of bedside ultrasound examination at postoperative 12 hours, the patients were assigned into DVT group and non DVT group. The relevance of DVT with the age and blood coagulation function of the patients and the duration of limb immobilization was statistically analyzed by using SPSS 17. 0. Results The total incidence of DVT after CAS was 3. 8% (16/417). The patients aged over 80 years old accounted for 50. 0% (8/16) in DVT group, only for 13. 5% (54/401) in non DVT group, there was a significant difference (χ²=13. 466, P=0. 002). The patients with the duration of operated limb immobilization over 24 hours accounted for 50% (8/16) in DVT group, only for 2. 2% (9/401) in non DVT group, there was a significant difference (P < 0. 001). The patients with elevated D-dimer level accounted for 56. 3% (9/16) in DVT group, only for 2. 7% (11/401) in non DVT group, there was a significant difference (P < 0. 001). Conclusion It is important to test the coagulation function of the patients before and after CAS. The pulsation of the foot dorsal artery should be closely observed after the operation, and do some passive and active activities for the operated limbs as early to prevent and reduce the occurrence of DVT.