Abstract

Background and Aim: Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) and Heart Failure (HF) are both vital and related entities. Some studies reported heart failure to be a predisposing factor for VTE. This study aims to assess the association between right ventricular function and VTE in hospitalized HF patients. Method: The present study is a cross-sectional one; 60 acute heart failure patients which were diagnosed according to the Framingham criteria were enrolled. Those with a past medical history of pulmonary thromboembolism, cancer, and anticoagulant therapy were excluded. Transthoracic echocardiography was done in 48 hours of admission in all patients and Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (TAPSE) was considered as the right ventricular function parameter. Furthermore, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was assessed with ultrasound. Results:  The study investigated 30 left heart failure cases and 30 right and left failure patients. The gender distribution was equal and only 8 patients (13.3%) had DVT. Two patients with left heart failure and six with right and left heart failure had DVT. The differences regarding the presence of DVT did not show any significant difference between the two left heart failure and right and left heart failure (p=0.254). Besides, TAPSE, PAP, and FAC showed no notable difference between the two study groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: There is no significant difference in DVT episodes and right ventricular dysfunction in acute HF patients. Further investigations are needed to decide venoprophylaxis in HF patients.