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Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Screening for Proximal Lower Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis
Published on: February 10, 2023
Risk factors for venous thromboembolism
1Harvard Medical School, Venous Thromboembolism Research Group, Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. sgoldhaber@partners.org
Journal of the American College of Cardiology
|July 13, 2010
Summary
Adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle may reduce the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), including pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Hospitalized patients require risk assessment and prophylaxis, while outpatient VTE risk assessment is crucial at discharge.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Vascular Medicine
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- Risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) frequently overlap with those for coronary artery disease.
- Modifiable lifestyle factors and patient characteristics influence VTE risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and VTE.
- To highlight strategies for VTE prevention in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on VTE risk factors and prevention strategies.
- Analysis of overlapping risk factors between VTE and coronary artery disease.
- Examination of current guidelines for inpatient VTE prophylaxis.
Main Results:
- Heart-healthy lifestyle modifications (smoking cessation, weight management, diet, hypertension control) may reduce VTE risk.
- Evidence-based strategies exist to identify high-risk hospitalized patients.
- Pharmacological prophylaxis is recommended for most at-risk hospitalized patients.
- A significant proportion of VTE events occur in the outpatient setting.
Conclusions:
- Lifestyle interventions targeting cardiovascular health may offer VTE protection.
- Comprehensive VTE risk assessment, including post-discharge evaluation, is essential.
- Optimizing inpatient prophylaxis and outpatient risk stratification can mitigate VTE incidence.
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