[Update on current care guidelines: venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism]

Approximately 50% of hospitalised patients need thromboprophylaxis. However, 30-50% of these high-risk patients remain without adequate treatment. Treatment of venous thrombombolism has remained unchanged, apart from the option of replacement of low-molecular-weight heparin by fondaparinux in the initial regimen. Practical guidance is now available for unfractionated heparin. Administration of thrombolysis is restricted to haemostatically unstable patients and local massive thrombosis, where catheter-based strategies are preferred to systemic fibrinolytics. Although anticoagulation therapy is life-long in the case of patients with idiopathic thrombosis and permanent risk factors, repeated safety evaluations must be performed. Otherwise, the duration of anticoagulation treatment is individualised.