Towards evidence based emergency medicine: best BETs from the Manchester Royal Infirmary. Using the ultrasound compression test for deep vein thrombosis will not precipitate a thromboembolic event.

A short cut review was carried out to establish whether patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) are at risk of embolism during ultrasound compression testing. No papers were found that directly answered the clinical question. The clinical bottom line is that currently there is no evidence to suggest that compressing vessels in order to identify a DVT could cause an embolic event. Therefore we can consider ultrasound assessment a safe reliable investigation for the diagnosis of DVT with no evidence of causing harm.