TY - JOUR
T1 - Accuracy of ultrasonography performed by critical care physicians for the diagnosis of DVT
AU - Kory, Pierre D.
AU - Pellecchia, Crescens M.
AU - Shiloh, Ariel L.
AU - Mayo, Paul H.
AU - DiBello, Christopher
AU - Koenig, Seth
PY - 2011/3/1
Y1 - 2011/3/1
N2 - Background: DVT is common among critically ill patients. A rapid and accurate diagnosis is essential for patient care. We assessed the accuracy and timeliness of intensivist-performed compression ultrasonography studies (IP-CUS) for proximal lower extremity DVT (PLEDVT) by comparing results with the formal vascular study (FVS) performed by ultrasonography technicians and interpreted by radiologists. Methods: We conducted a multicenter, retrospective review of IP-CUS examinations performed in an ICU by pulmonary and critical care fellows and attending physicians. Patients suspected of having DVT underwent IP-CUS, using a standard two-dimensional compression ultrasonography protocol for the diagnosis of PLEDVT. The IP-CUS data were collected prospectively as part of a quality-improvement initiative. The IP-CUS interpretation was recorded and timed at the end of the examination on a standardized report form. An FVS was then ordered, and the FVS result was used as the criterion standard for calculating sensitivity and specificity. Time delays between the IP-CUS and FVS were recorded. Results: A total of 128 IP-CUS were compared with an FVS. Eighty-one percent of the IP-CUS were performed by fellows with < 2 years of clinical ultrasonography experience. Prevalence of DVT was 20%. IP-CUS studies yielded a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 96% with a diagnostic accuracy of 95%. Median time delay between the ordering of FVS and the FVS result was 13.8 h. Conclusions:Rapid and accurate diagnosis of proximal lower extremity DVT can be achieved by intensivists performing compression ultrasonography at the bedside.
AB - Background: DVT is common among critically ill patients. A rapid and accurate diagnosis is essential for patient care. We assessed the accuracy and timeliness of intensivist-performed compression ultrasonography studies (IP-CUS) for proximal lower extremity DVT (PLEDVT) by comparing results with the formal vascular study (FVS) performed by ultrasonography technicians and interpreted by radiologists. Methods: We conducted a multicenter, retrospective review of IP-CUS examinations performed in an ICU by pulmonary and critical care fellows and attending physicians. Patients suspected of having DVT underwent IP-CUS, using a standard two-dimensional compression ultrasonography protocol for the diagnosis of PLEDVT. The IP-CUS data were collected prospectively as part of a quality-improvement initiative. The IP-CUS interpretation was recorded and timed at the end of the examination on a standardized report form. An FVS was then ordered, and the FVS result was used as the criterion standard for calculating sensitivity and specificity. Time delays between the IP-CUS and FVS were recorded. Results: A total of 128 IP-CUS were compared with an FVS. Eighty-one percent of the IP-CUS were performed by fellows with < 2 years of clinical ultrasonography experience. Prevalence of DVT was 20%. IP-CUS studies yielded a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 96% with a diagnostic accuracy of 95%. Median time delay between the ordering of FVS and the FVS result was 13.8 h. Conclusions:Rapid and accurate diagnosis of proximal lower extremity DVT can be achieved by intensivists performing compression ultrasonography at the bedside.
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U2 - 10.1378/chest.10-1479
DO - 10.1378/chest.10-1479
M3 - Article
C2 - 21030490
AN - SCOPUS:79952210977
VL - 139
SP - 538
EP - 542
JO - Diseases of the chest
JF - Diseases of the chest
SN - 0012-3692
IS - 3
ER -