[Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in internal medicine]

Many of medical patients are significant risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). VTE is the most common cause of preventable death in hospitalized patients. Prophylaxis is highly effective in reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism and should be used in most hospitalized patients. Various strategies improve adherence to evidence-based guidelines on the use of prophylaxis, including audit and feedback, and automatic reminders. The important clinical risk factors for PE (or venous thromboembolism VTE) include advanced age, general anaesthesia, prolonged immobility or paralysis, previous VTE, cancer, duration of surgery, orthopaedic surgery of lower limb leg, hip or pelvic fracture, major trauma, stroke, obesity, varicose veins, postoperative infection and heart failure. Medical patients ad bed rest or who are sick are in moderate risk of VTE and evidence based guidelines recommended thromboprophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin, or low dose of unfractionated heparin or Fondaparinux. For all situations both guidelines recommended against the use of aspirin for VTE prevention.