Utility of the risk assessment profile for risk stratification of venous thrombotic events for trauma patients.

BACKGROUND: Trauma patients are at risk for the development of venous thromboembolism (VTE). The purpose of this study was to validate the Risk Assessment Profile (RAP) as a tool for stratifying the risk of VTE.

METHODS: RAP scores were calculated in a retrospective cohort analysis for all trauma patients aged 13 years or older admitted in 2003 and 2006 and hospitalized longer than 48 hours. Association of RAP with VTE, sensitivity, specificity, and receiver operating characteristic curve were included in the analysis.

RESULTS: Of 2,281 patients, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) developed in 239 (10.5%) and pulmonary embolism (PE) developed in 34 (1.5%). In moderate- and high-risk patients, the RAP had a sensitivity of .82 and a specificity of .57. Identification of VTE for high-risk patients had a sensitivity .15 and a specificity of .97. The incidence of VTE increased significantly with risk level regardless of mechanism of injury.

CONCLUSIONS: The RAP score is highly associated with VTE in trauma patients regardless of mechanism of injury and is a valid risk assessment tool.