Few studies in the research literature report the incidence of DV

Few studies in the research literature report the incidence of DVT during the early postoperative period or the risk factors for the development of DVT in the amputation

stump. This prospective study evaluated the incidence of DVT during the first 35 postoperative days in patients who had undergone amputation of the lower extremity due to PAD and its relation to comorbidities and death.

Methods: Between September 2004 and March 2006, 56 patients (29 men), with a mean age of 67.25 years, underwent 62 amputations, comprising 36 below knee amputations (BKA) and 26 above knee amputations (AKA). GSK2118436 research buy Echo-Doppler scanning was performed preoperatively and on

postoperative days 7 and 31 (approximately). All patients received acetylsalicylic acid (100 mg daily) preoperatively and postoperatively, but none received prophylactic anticoagulation.

Results: DVT occurred in 25.8% of extremities with amputations (10 ARA and 6 BKA). The cumulative incidence in the 35-day Selleckchem MK-0518 postoperative period was 28% (Kaplan-Meier). There was a significant difference (P = .04) in the incidence of DVT between AKA (37.5%) and BKA (21.2%). Age >= 70 years (48.9% vs 16.8%, P = .021) was also a risk factor for DVT in the univariate analysis. Of the 16 cases, 14 (87.5%) were diagnosed during outpatient care. The time to discharge after amputation was averaged 6.11 days in-hospital stay (range, 1-56 days). One symptomatic nonfatal pulmonary embolism occurred in a patient already diagnosed with DVT. There was no relation between other comorbidities and DVT. The multivariate analysis showed no association between risk factors

and the occurrence of DVT in the amputated extremity. DVT ipsilateral to the amputation did not influence the mortality rate (9.7%).

Conclusion: Rebamipide The incidence of DVT in the early postoperative period (<= 35 days) was elevated principally in patients aged >= 70 years and for AKA. Patients with PAD who have recently undergone major amputations should be considered at high risk for DVT, even after hospital discharge. Given the high rate of postoperative DVT observed in this study, we now recommend prophylactic anticoagulation for these patients, but further study is needed to determine the optimal duration and efficacy of this treatment. (J Vasc Surg 2008;48:1514-9.)”
“Torsion dystonia is an autosomal dominant movement disorder characterized by involuntary, repetitive muscle contractions and twisted postures. The most severe early onset form of dystonia has been linked to mutations in the human DYT1 (TOR1A) gene encoding a protein termed torsinA.

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