ABSTRACT
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. Effective and safe prophylactic strategies exist, but their implementation is often suboptimal.
In the absence of prophylaxis, there is a high risk that up to 50% of hospital inpatients will develop deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Venous thrombosis starts usually in the calf veins of the lower limb and extends proximally: 1-5% may progress to fatal pulmonary embolism. The propagation of VTE depends on a thrombophilic state, which is defined by Virchow’s triad (changes of blood flow, blood vessel wall and blood contents). The risk of VTE is increased by immobility, obesity, smoking, previous VTE, increasing age and varicose veins. There are also numerous acquired and inherited thrombophilia conditions that predispose to the development of VTE. Patients should therefore be assessed individually for optimal choice of VTE prophylaxis.
