ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the common issues of outcome assessment. The spectrum of outcome assessment in acute venous disease is broad. The goal of the medical management in acute venous disease that is venous thromboembolism (VTE) is to improve the survival and the quality of life that are endangered or hampered by the disease; in addition, treatment should decrease complications and recurrence of disease, have as few side effects as possible, and achieve all of this at the lowest cost possible. Reduction of the excessive mortality remains the main goal of the prevention and treatment of VTE disease. Thrombi in the deep veins of the lower limbs of asymptomatic patients who are at high risk for VTE are frequently detected. Post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) is a frequent and serious outcome for patients with VTE. PTS is most often associated with deep vein reflux, which appears early and is sometimes used as a diagnostic criterion for PTS.
