Ultrasound performed by emergency clinician improved the diagnostic efficacy in deep vein thrombosis

Patients and methods From January 1 2006 to March 31th 2014, patients who were diagnosed as deep vein thrombosis, either by conventional duplex studies or bedside ultrasound, were included. Medical records were reviewed by a 6-year-trained emergency clinician. Age less than 18, patient who was referred from outpatient department or from other hospital, patient who had the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism before the visit, patient who use any anti-coagulant before the visit were excluded. Diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis was confirmed by any non-compressible venous vasculature of lower extremities, including common femoral vein, superficial and deep femoral vein, and popliteal vein, under ultrasound. Patient was divided into two group, one group was diagnosed by conventional duplex, and another group was diagnosed by bedside ultrasound. We compared the diagnostic time, treatment time, ED stay time between these two groups. Diagnostic time, treatment time, ED stay time were defined as time between the patient arrived ED and ultrasound-confirmed DVT, time between the patient arrived ED and patient first receive anti-coagulant, time between the patient arrived ED and patient admission or discharge, respectively.