Mc. Rousseau et B. Guillotel, Risk factors for deep venous thrombosis in tetraparesic mentally retarded patients, BRAIN INJUR, 15(12), 2001, pp. 1041-1044
Objectives: The risk factors and incidence of deep venous thrombosis were s
tudied in a population of para- and tetraparesic patients institutionalized
for long durations.
Methods: Retrospectively, the antecedents and risk factors of deep venous t
hrombosis were collected for each patient.
Results: Data were available for 57 patients. The mean duration of hospital
ization was 18 years. None of the patients presented thromboembolic patholo
gy. Ninety-three per cent of the patients were spastic tetraparesic, 7% wer
e spastic paraparesic. Sixty per cent of the patients presented added risk
factors, mostly orthopaedic surgery, bone fractures and hormonal treatments
.
Conclusion: Spasticity probably plays a role in preventing deep venous thro
mbosis in paralysed patients, but it does not fully explain the absence of
deep venous thrombosis in this population.