ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence and risk factors of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). MethodsOne hundred and eight patients with acute exacerbation of COPD admitted between March 2009 and September 2010 were consecutively included.On admission,color Doppler ultrasound examination of lower extremities was performed for diagnosing DVT in all cases.The patients with DVT were compared with those without DVT in demographics,symptoms,physical signs,risk factors and laboratory examination including Ⅷ factor and von Willebrand factor (VWF). ResultsAmong 108 patients with acute exacerbation of COPD,DVT was detected in 11 cases (10.1%).In the COPD patients with DVT,the duration of hospitalization was longer (P<0.001) and the mechanical ventilation requirement increased (P=0.024) compared those without DVT.Other indicators for more possibility of DVT were immobility over 3 days (P=0.001),pneumonia as concomitance (P=0.004),type Ⅱ respiratory failure (P=0.011),and current smoking (P=0.002).The plasma leukocytes,D-dimer and Ⅷ factor levels were significantly higher in the COPD patients with DVT than those without DVT (P=0.005;P<0.001;P=0.009). ConclusionThe incidence of DVT in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD is 10.1%.The prevalence of DVT is higher in distal extremities than that in proximal,especially the intermuscular veins.The patients with acute exacerbation of COPD have a higher risk of DVT when immobilized over 3 days,complicated by pneumonia or type Ⅱ respiratory failure,and having a high levels of plasma leukocytes,D-dimer and Ⅷ factor.