Risk factors for venous thromboembolic events and their association with D-dimer level

Abstract

Aim: to study the prevalence of various risk factors (RF) for venous thromboembolic events (VTEE) and their association with D-dimer levels. Subjects and methods. The clinical, demographic, anthropometric, anamnestic, and laboratory data were analyzed in 106 patients (73 men and 33 women) aged 18 to 78 years admitted to hospital with the first or recurrent episode of VTEE. Results. RF and VTEE-associated diseases were identified in all patients. Over 90% of the patients had more 2 RFs. The most common RFs were the age above 40 years (85%) and overweight (82%), including obesity (42%). There was a preponderance of cardiovascular diseases in the pattern of VTEE-associated diseases. The direct causes (precipitating factors) of thrombosis were revealed in 57% of cases; the thrombotic episode was classified as idiopathic in 43%. Elevated D-dimer levels were found in 74% of the patients. Higher D-dimer content was seen in women, non-smokers, patients operated on for thrombosis, those who had 2 precipitating factors or more, and those who had a less than 30-day history of thrombosis. There was an inverse correlation between the elevated level of D-dimer and the duration of thrombosis by the moment of its identification (thrombus age). Conclusion. All patients who have experienced a venous thrombotic episode have various RFs for VTEE. The content of D-dimer exceeds the normal value in most patients with VTEE. Among the RFs studied, thrombus age is the most important factor associated with elevated D-dimer levels in patients with VTEE.

Keywords

• venous thromboembolic events
• deep vein thrombosis
• pulmonary thromboembolism
• risk factors
• d-dimer