Deep vein thrombosis following aortic surgery: prospective evaluation of I125 fibrinogen and impedance plethysmography.

A prospective comparison of I125 Fibrinogen uptake testing (FUT) and Impedance Plethysmography (IPG) was made in 22 patients (44 limbs) following aortic reconstructive surgery to determine the incidence of postoperative deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Normal FUT was obtained in 34 limbs, whereas ten limbs had abnormal uptake over the calf area consistent with venous thrombosis. Nine of the ten limbs with a positive scan underwent phlebography. All venograms and IPG readings obtained were normal. No evidence of DVT following aortic surgery was noted in this study. A high incidence of false positive FUT was evident. IPG is noninvasive, reliable and relatively inexpensive and is therefore recommended if prospective evaluation for DVT in patients undergoing aortic surgery is desired.