Diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremity: A systematic review and meta-analysis of test accuracy

Meha Bhatt, Cody Braun, Payal Patel, Parth Patel, Housne Begum, Wojtek Wiercioch, Jamie Varghese, David Wooldridge, Hani J. Alturkmani, Merrill Thomas, Mariam Baig, Waled Bahaj, Rasha Khatib, Rohan Kehar, Rakesh Ponnapureddy, Anchal Sethi, Ahmad Mustafa, Robby Nieuwlaat, Wendy Lim, Shannon M. BatesEddy Lang, Grégoire Le Gal, Marc Righini, Nedaa M. Husainat, Mohamad A. Kalot, Yazan Nayif Al Jabiri, Holger J. Schünemann, Reem A. Mustafa

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

53 Scopus citations

Abstract

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the lower extremities can be associated with significant morbidity and may progress to pulmonary embolism and postthrombotic syndrome. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to minimize the risk of these complications. We systematically reviewed the accuracy of diagnostic tests for first-episode and recurrent DVT of the lower extremities, including proximal compression ultrasonography (US), whole leg US, serial US, and high-sensitivity quantitative D-dimer assays. We searched Cochrane Central, MEDLINE, and EMBASE for eligible studies, reference lists of relevant reviews, registered trials, and relevant conference proceedings. Two investigators screened and abstracted data. Risk of bias was assessed using Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 and certainty of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework. We pooled estimates of sensitivity and specificity. The review included 43 studies. For any suspected DVT, the pooled estimates for sensitivity and specificity of proximal compression US were 90.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 86.5-92.8) and 98.5% (95% CI, 97.6-99.1), respectively. For whole-leg US, pooled estimates were 94.0% (95% CI, 91.3-95.9) and 97.3% (95% CI, 94.8-98.6); for serial US pooled estimates were 97.9% (95% CI, 96.0-98.9) and 99.8% (95% CI, 99.3-99.9). For D-dimer, pooled estimates were 96.1% (95% CI, 92.6-98.0) and 35.7% (95% CI, 29.5-42.4). Recurrent DVT studies were not pooled. Certainty of evidence varied from low to high. This systematic review of current diagnostic tests for DVT of the lower extremities provides accuracy estimates. The tests are evaluated when performed in a stand-alone fashion, and in a diagnostic pathway. The pretest probability of DVT often assessed by a clinical decision rule will influence how, together with sensitivity and specificity estimates, patients will be managed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1250-1264
Number of pages15
JournalBlood Advances
Volume4
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 14 2020

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