Association of Symptomatic Venous Thromboembolism and BMI in Patients Undergoing Sports Medicine Knee Procedures: A Retrospective Case-Control Study

Abstract

Background:

The purpose of this study was to characterize the prevalence of venous thromboembolism (VTE; including deep vein thrombosis [DVT] and pulmonary embolism [PE]) after sports medicine knee procedures by a single surgeon at an academic institution, identify factors associated with increased risk of VTE, and determine risk factor thresholds for beyond which VTE risk is elevated.

Hypothesis:

We hypothesized that the prevalence of VTE after sports medicine knee procedures is low, but that increasing weight and body mass index (BMI) would be associated with elevated risk.

Study Design:

Retrospective case-control study.

Level of Evidence:

Level 3.

Methods:

A retrospective case-control study analyzing sports medicine knee surgeries from 2017 to 2020 was conducted using current procedural terminology codes to identify cases. Optimal cutoff points for specific continuous patient characteristics were calculated to determine elevated risk of postoperative VTE. Overall VTE-free survival was assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazard regression models.

Results:

Among the 724 eligible patients, there were 13 postoperative VTE events (1.79% prevalence; 12 DVTs, 1 DVT/PE). Increasing weight and BMI were significant risk factors for postoperative VTE (P = 0.03 and P = 0.04, respectively), with weight >94.7 kg and BMI >27.9 kg/m² associated with elevated risk in male patients and weight >79.1 kg and BMI >28.1 kg/m² associated with elevated risk for female patients. Cox regression demonstrated a significantly increased risk of postoperative VTE for male patients with BMI ≥27.9 kg/m².

Conclusion:

Patients who undergo sports medicine knee surgery with increased weight and BMI are at an elevated risk of postoperative VTE. An individualized approach should be considered for chemoprophylaxis in patients with these risk factors.

Clinical Relevance:

Consider chemoprophylaxis in patients with increased weight and BMI who undergo sports medicine knee surgery since they are at an elevated risk of postoperative VTE.