Predicting Deep Venous Thrombosis in Pregnancy: Out in "LEFt" Field?

The clinical predictors of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) are well known in the general population but not in pregnant women. Over 7 years, clinical thrombosis experts enrolled 194 pregnant women with suspected DVT in 5 Canadian centers, evaluated them, and did leg vein compression ultrasonography. Seventeen (8.8%) women had DVT. All had at least 1 of the following clinical predictors: left leg symptoms, difference in calf circumference of 2 cm or more, and presentation during the first trimester of pregnancy. These 3 variables may improve the accuracy of DVT diagnosis in pregnancy.