Incidence and Characteristics of Phlegmasia Cerulea Dolens. A 17- Year, Descriptive Study in a Third-Level Hospital in Madrid

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Phlegmasia cerulea dolens (PCD) presentsinitially as a triad of pain in the affected limb, oedema andcyanosis. In more advanced cases, venous gangrene, pre-renalshock, arterial insufficiency, and even death. Study objectiveswere to ascertain the incidence of PCD in our hospital, tocompare our patients´ characteristics with those describedin the literature and taper of point of care ultrasound in itsdiagnosisMaterial and methods: This was a retrospective,observational, descriptive study. The study period was fromJuly 24th 2002 to April 30th 2019. It was conducted in a thirdlevel hospital in Madrid, Spain.Results: Thirty-three patients were diagnosed with PCD, 21(63.7%) women and 12 men. Mean and median of age was 72years. Range was from 38 to 89 years. The main associationwas with cancer, in 19 patients (57.5%), and pulmonaryembolism in 9 patients (30%). Our mortality rate was 24%.The incidence of PCD in our study, is about 173,000 patients.Conclusion: The incidence of PCD in our hospital was173,000. As soon as the clinical suspicion of PCD is raised,early diagnosis and treatment is crucial, with the aim of savingpatient´s lower limb and life. This is the only point where allpublications coincide.