Impact of thrombosis location on walking capacity: a cohort study of patients with acute deep vein thrombosis.

Background: Data on walking impairment during the acute phase of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) are limited.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the degree of walking impairment in patients with acute DVT, with a particular focus on the relation to the DVT's anatomical location.

Methods: Patients with sonographically confirmed DVT were eligible for inclusion in this cohort study. Pain-free walking distance (PWD) and maximum walking distance (MWD) were determined using standardized treadmill ergometer tests and analyzed in relation to DVT location. The impact of previous DVT on walking capacity was evaluated in an exploratory analysis.

Results: The study included 64 patients (31% women; median age, 55 years). The median (IQR) time from diagnosis to exercise test was 3 (1-5) days. Patients with suprainguinal DVT demonstrated significantly shorter median (IQR) MWD than those with infrainguinal DVT (130 (61-202) m vs 565 (128-750) m;  < .01), while PWD did not significantly differ (PWD: 20 (0-30) m vs 40 (0-222) m;  = .14). The proportion of patients who had to terminate treadmill tests prematurely was higher in patients with suprainguinal DVT (91.7% vs 57.7%;  = .04). PWD and MWD seemed to be similar in patients with and without a history of DVT. Premature test termination and suprainguinal DVT location were associated with reduced quality of life, as measured by the EuroQoL Group 5-Dimension 5-Level questionnaire and visual analog scale.

Conclusion: Suprainguinal DVT was linked to a more pronounced walking impairment compared with infrainguinal DVT. Limited walking capacity was associated with a reduced quality of life.