Risk factors for major thromboembolism and bleeding tendency after elective general surgical operations. The Fragmin Multicentre Study Group.

Objective: To elucidate those factors that contribute to the risk of major postoperative thromboembolism and perioperative bleeding tendency.

Design: Retrospective multiple logistic regression analysis.

Setting: 7 Scandinavian hospitals (6 Swedish and 1 Norwegian).

Thrombosis after elective phlebography as demonstrated with the 125 I-fibrinogen test.

The 125I fibrinogen test was used in 54 patients before and daily for 4 to 6 days after phlebography, for evaluating the incidence of post-phlebographic thrombosis. The indication for phlebography was in all cases varicose veins with perforators. A significantly increased fibrinogen uptake was found after phlebography in 4/54 patients in the calf, suggesting development of deep venous thrombosis, which, however, could not be confirmed with plethysmography or thermography.