ABSTRACT
DVT is considered to be one of the major complications seen mainly after total joint replacement. The diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis [DVT] is carried out by clinical examination and objective investigations which confirm the clinical signs. Blood parameters as potential non-invasive methods are used to diagnose deep venous thrombosis in total hip replacement. The primary aim was to assess the accuracy of the blood tests, D-dimer, thrombin-antithrombin III complex and prothrombin fragments in diagnosing DVT in high risk patients using venography as a control. The second aim was to determine which of these blood markers is more accurate in diagnosing thrombosis. Blood samples were taken from 16 patients, 4 males and 12 females, aged from 55-86 years, all of them were admitted for hip replacement. In 5 out of 16 patients venography showed a positive DVT. Out of 16 patients only one had a clinically suspected DVT which was confirmed by venogram. The results showed significant differences for D-dimer when comparing pre-operative with post-operative levels in patients with proven DVT by venography. TAT results showed significant differences between pre-operative and post-operative results both in DVT positive and negative patients, and F 1 + 2 results were not significantly different between DVT positive and DVT negative patients. D-Dimer might be considered to be the most significant parameter among the three tests investigated which be might used as a screening test for DVT