Methods and results

Between 1 November 1998 and 15 August 1999 all patients presenting to the vascular diagnostics unit of the University Hospital Dresden, Germany, as outpatients with acute deep vein thrombosis in the leg were prospectively evaluated regarding eligibilty for home treatment. We defined acute deep vein thrombosis as non-compressible deep veins on ultrasonography (UM9 HDI, linear array 4–7 MHz, ATL, Bothell, Washington, DC) and symptoms that had been present for less than two weeks. Written informed consent was obtained from all patients.

On the day of diagnosis patients were started on oral anticoagulation with phenprocoumon (adjusted to a target international normalised ratio of 2-3) and the low molecular weight heparin nadroparin (90 IU/kg body weight twice daily) until a therapeutic ratio was achieved. All patients received class II compression stockings. At presentation, the decision regarding hospital admission was based on medical reasons, home care situation, patients' and general practitioners' rejection of outpatient treatment, and hospital service logistics. The 95% confidence intervals were calculated according to the Wilson procedure.

We assessed recurrent venous thromboembolism (verified by sonography, ventilation-perfusion scan, or pulmonary angiography), major bleeding, and death at clinical follow up of patients treated at home. Assessments were at three and six days and two, four, and 12 weeks after initiation of treatment. The study was approved by the local ethics committee.

A total of 117 consecutive outpatients (48 men, 69 women) were diagnosed as having acute deep vein thrombosis. Of these, 92 received home treatment—that is, they were not admitted at all. The median (range) age was 62.0 (19–95) years. Three patients were admitted to hospital for medical reasons; 11 because of the home care situation; and 11 for reasons of hospital service logistics (table). At the 12 week follow up of the 92 patients, eight had died (six from cancer and two from chronic heart failure; three had recurrent thrombosis; and four had developed minor bleeding. No clinical pulmonary embolism or major bleeding occurred. Safety and efficacy figures are similar to those previously published.5

Comment

Most outpatients presenting with acute deep vein thrombosis do not need to be admitted to hospital. The proportion who do require admission depends mainly on factors to do with infrastructure rather than medical reasons. In our study, only 3% of patients were admitted for medical reasons, and in 9% admission was because medication and international normalised ratio could not be monitored. Even these patients could have been treated as outpatients if adequate professional care had been available at home. No serious complications were noted in patients treated in an outpatient setting. Another 9% of our patients presented in the emergency room and were already being treated for deep vein thrombosis suspected on clinical grounds alone. They were admitted until ultrasound examination could be performed.