CLINICALLY SYMPTOMATIC DEEP VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM IN A STROKE POPULATION

This study was designed to review the incidence of clinically symptomatic and confirmed deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary emboli. A retrospective review of 563 stroke rehabilitation patients was conducted. Twenty-five (4.4%) of stroke patients developed a clinically symptomative DVT which was confirmed on diagnostic testing. Pulmonary embolus was diagnosed in 12 (2.1%) patients while four patients had multiple pulmonary emboli. Although the incidence of DVT has been reported as being much higher, the incidence of clinically significant DVT appears to be much lover.