RT Journal
A1 Anand SS, Wells PS, Hunt D, Brill-Edwards P, Cook D, Ginsberg JS
T1 DOes this patient have deep vein thrombosis?
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 1998
FD April 8
VO 279
IS 14
SP 1094
OP 1099
DO 10.1001/jama.279.14.1094
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.279.14.1094
AB Objective.— 
                  To review the validity of the clinical assessment and diagnostic tests
in patients with suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT).Methods.— 
                  A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted by searching
MEDLINE from 1966 to April 1997.Results.— 
                  Individual symptoms and signs alone do not reliably predict which patients
have DVT. Overall, the diagnostic properties of the clinical examination are
poor; the sensitivity of the clinical examination ranges from 60% to 96%,
and the specificity ranges from 20% to 72%. However, using specific combinations
of risk factors, symptoms, and physical signs for DVT, clinicians can reliably
stratify patients with suspected DVT into low, moderate, or high pretest probability
categories of actually suffering from DVT. This stratification process in
combination with noninvasive testing, such as compression ultrasonography,
simplifies the management strategies for patients with suspected DVT.Conclusions.— 
                  Use of a clinical prediction guide that includes specific factors from
both the history and physical examination in combination with noninvasive
tests simplifies management strategies for patients with suspected DVT.