The utility of on‐site ultrasound screening in population at high risk for deep venous thrombosis in temporary housing after the great East Japan Earthquake

Abstract

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of ultrasonography for screening of a population at risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in a post-disaster setting. Ultrasonography was applied as a screening technique to the residents of a temporary housing facility who were displaced following the Great East Japan Earthquake. Thirty DVT screening sessions were held from April 2013 to June 2015. Individuals were invited to participate if they were identified as “high risk” for DVT, defined as those with low activity levels, a history of lower limb trauma, baseline lower limb pain or swelling, a cancer-bearing status, or a history of venous thromboembolic event. Ultrasonographic examinations were performed from the calf to the popliteal veins using portable devices. Of the 3,316 subjects screened (682 men and 2,634 women) with a mean age of 71 ± 9.7 years, DVT was diagnosed in 382 (11.5%). DVT was more likely in older, symptomatic, or female patients with a history of venous thromboembolism and attempting to perform daily exercise. The rate of DVT diagnosis increased from 9.9% in 2013 to 13.5% in 2015. Ultrasonography is efficient for screening at-risk populations in challenging settings. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 45:566–574, 2017