Abstract
Objective
This study aims to explore the clinical correlation between nonspecific ST-segment or T-wave (NS-STT) changes and perioperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients with lower extremity fractures.
Methods
One thousand four hundred sixty-nine consecutive patients who suffered lower extremity fractures were screened at Xi’an Honghui Hospital between Feb 2016 and Nov 2018. According to the included and excluded criteria, the patients were included in this retrospective study. After collecting the electrocardiogram baseline, the patients were divided into the NS-STT group and the non-NS-STT group. After comparing the demographic and clinical characteristics, multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify the role of NS-STT changes on perioperative DVT. All analyses were performed with R and EmpowerStats software.
Results
Nine hundred and sixty-eight patients were included in the study. Ninety-seven patients (10.02%) had NS-STT changes on the electrocardiogram at admission. A total of 303 patients (31.30%) developed perioperative DVT in lower extremities. The univariate analysis showed that NS-STT segment changes were correlated with perioperative DVT significantly (OR = 3.45, 95% CI: 2.25–5.30, P < 0.0001). In addition, age ≥50 (P < 0.0001), female (OR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.14–1.97, P = 0.0038), hypertension (OR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.08–2.20, P = 0.0161), blood transfusion (OR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.34–2.37, P < 0.0001), joint prosthesis (OR = 3.26, 95% CI: 2.21–4.81, P < 0.0001), and blood loss ≥300 mL (OR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.50–3.01, P < 0.0001) were associated with perioperative DVT in lower extremities. We identified the confounding factors of age, gender, classification of internal implants, operation time, blood loss, and infusion. After adjustment for potential confounding factors, NS-STT changes were associated with perioperative DVT (OR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.33–3.42; P = 0.0017). The sensitive analysis showed that the result was stable.
Conclusion
The NS-STT changes on electrocardiograms are associated with an increase in the incidence of perioperative DVT by 2.13-fold in patients with lower extremity fractures under 75 years old. In clinical practice, surgeons should pay more attention to these patients.
Abbreviations
NS-STT, nonspecific ST-segment or T-wave; DVT, deep vein thrombosis.
Data Sharing Statement
The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are not publicly available due to data privacy but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Ethics Approval
The study was approved by the ethical board of Xi’an Honghui Hospital (No. 2014026).
Author Contributions
All authors contributed to data analysis, drafting or revising the article, have agreed on the journal to which the article will be submitted, gave final approval of the version to be published, and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Disclosure
The authors report no conflicts of interest.