Potential risk factors for deep venous thrombosis in burn patients

Risk factors and prophylaxis for prevention of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism remain controversial in burn patients. From January 1996 through June 1999, we reviewed all adult burn patients admitted to our burn center with the in-hospital diagnosis of DVT and assessed each affected patient for DVT risk factors. There were 8 symptomatic DVTs and 2 pulmonary embolisms detected in 327 adult burn patients (2.4% incidence). No DVT patient had the risk factors of morbid obesity, previous DVT, congestive heart failure, or neoplastic disease. One patient was older than 65 years. All of the DVTs occurred in veins draining a burned extremity. Seven of 8 patients had burn wound infections as complications. Burns on the extremity developing the DVT as well as the diagnosis of a burn wound infection were significant risk factors for DVT formation. These findings prompt us to consider routine screening for DVT in burn patients with these risk factors.