The wheelchair thrombosis syndrome
Lohiya, G-Shyam.; Tan-Figueroa, L.; Silverman, S.; Le, H.Van.
Journal of the National Medical Association 98(7): 1188-1192
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 0027-9684 PMID: 16895294 Document Number: 599715
Objective: To report a case of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) related to prolonged wheelchair use.Case Report: A 48-year-old patient with spastic quadriplegia usually spent 10-12 hours daily in a wheelchair. He suddenly developed marked swelling of his right foot, leg and thigh. His plasma D-dimer level was 1,030 (normal < 500) ng/ml, A duplex ultrasound revealed common femoral vein thrombosis. He was hospitalized and anticoagulated; his extremity swelling decreased considerably by day 45. Hypercoagulability work-up disclosed previously subclinical mild elevation of serum cardiolipin immunoglobulin G (antiphospholipid syndrome). This patient will receive long-term anticoagulation.Conclusion: Prolonged sitting in wheelchair may cause DVT. To enhance public recognition of this avoidable risk, we propose the term "wheelchair thrombosis syndrome."