Risk Factors of Scarborough et al for Venous Thromboembolism Following Aortic Surgery

 

Preoperative and intra-operative risk factors:

(1) body mass index >= 30 kg per square meter

(2) ruptured aneurysm

(3) operating time >= 5 hours

(4) chronic steroid therapy

(5) preoperative dyspnea

 

Postoperative risk factors:

(1) pneumonia

(2) mechanical ventilation > 48 hours

(3) return to the operating room in the 30 days after the operation

 

score =

= SUM(number of risk factors present)

 

Additional postoperative factors associated with venous thromboembolism (Table 3):

(1) peripheral nerve injury

(2) sepsis

(3) wound dehiscence

 

Interpretation:

• minimum score: 0

• maximum score: 8

• The higher the score the greater the risk of deep venous thromboembolism (DVT) and/or pulmonary embolism (PE).

Score	Percent with DVT or PE
0	0.8%
1	1.5%
2	3%
3	6%
4 to 8	8%