The incidence of deep vein thrombosis in women undergoing cesarean delivery.

Authors :: Sia WW
Powrie RO
Cooper AB
Larson L
Phipps M
Spencer P
Sauve N
Rosene-Montella K
Source :: Thrombosis research [Thromb Res] 2009; Vol. 123 (3), pp. 550-5. Date of Electronic Publication: 2008 Aug 15.
Publication Year :: 2009
Abstract: Introduction: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in the United States. Cesarean delivery is a known risk factor. This study was to determine the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) post cesarean delivery.<br />Materials and Methods: This was a prospective cohort study where two patients having undergone cesarean delivery each day were randomly selected. A lower extremity compression ultrasound was performed prior to hospital discharge. If no DVT was detected, participants were asked to return for a second ultrasound two weeks postpartum. Participants were also telephone-interviewed at three months for reported VTE.<br />Results: Of the 194 patients who consented to study participation, only one participant developed DVT after cesarean delivery, giving an overall incidence of 0.5% (95% CI, 0.1 to 2.8%). There were no DVT identified on the second ultrasound nor VTE reported 3 months postpartum.<br />Conclusions: We found the DVT rate after cesarean delivery to be 0.5%.