Turkish Journal of
GERIATRICS

Süleyman Demirel Ãœniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Kalp – Damar Cerrahisi Anabilim Dalı Isparta Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is an important problem that may result in death if not recognized or treated effectively in the geriatric group. 108 patients were treated because of DVT at Süleyman Demirel University, School of Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery and Antalya Government Hospital. Clinical manifestations were mainly pain (90 cases), and there was hyperthermy in 72, and edema in 68 cases. 18 cases were asymptomatic. Lower extremity was involved in 91%, upper extremity in 9%, and internal jugular vein in 0.9% cases. There were several causes for DVT occurrence in 85 cases, but we couldn't find any cause in 23 cases. 40 cases were followed-up for 6 months and. 12 patients developed pulmonary embolism. Total recanalization had occurred in 18 patients. Incomplete recanalization was observed in the other patients with doppler examination. There were valvular insufficiency in 78 patients. We used low molecular weight heparin at 200 anti-Xa IU/kg, doses in all patients. Anticoagulant therapy complications were; minor bleeding (1 patient), thrombocytopenia (1 patient). 2 patients died due to pulmonary embolism, 2 due to cardiac insufficiency and, 1 due to malignancy. Operation, trauma, and malignancy rates increase in the elderly group, so DVT occurs more in elderly patients than younger. We must consider that effective treatment of the DVT, and its complications, are very important in order to decrease the morbidity and mortality in the elderly patients. Keywords : Deep Venous thrombosis, Geriatrics, Pulmonary embolism