Predictive Factors of Thromboembolic Events in Patients Undergoing Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Background: Obesity is a major risk factor for postoperative deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Identifying those patients at the greatest risk for DVT/PE is essential to prevent thromboembolic events among patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) for clinically significant obesity. This aim of the study is to identify factors associated with an increased likelihood of developing DVT/PE after RYGB.

Methods: Prospectively collected data from 660 consecutive patients who underwent RYGB were reviewed. Patients received perioperative prophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin and sequential compression devices. Diagnosis was based on clinical, radiologic, and/or necropsy findings. Patients with and without postoperative DVT/PE were compared using chi(2) and multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results: A total of 23 patients (3.5%) developed postoperative DVT/PE. Age > 50 years (P = .04), previous DVT/PE (P = .02), history of smoking (P < .01), revisional operation (P = .03), open RYGB (P = .02), and anastomotic leak (P < .0001) significantly increased the likelihood of developing DVT/PE. On the other hand, gender, body mass index > 50 kg/m(2) and history of sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes, or myocardial infarction did not increase the likelihood of DVT/PE. Multivariate analysis revealed that age > 50 years (P = .04), postoperative anastomotic leak (P < .001), smoking (P < .01), and previous DVT/PE (P < .001) increased the likelihood of postoperative DVT/PE.

Conclusions: Age > 50 years, anastomotic leak, smoking, and history of DVT/PE all increase the likelihood of postoperative thromboembolic events in patients undergoing RYGB. Further preoperative screening and/or postoperative prophylaxis may be needed in this subset of high-risk patients.