[Recurrent venous thromboembolic events--a prospective study]

The reccurency rate after venous thromboembolism (VTE) is high and risk factors for recurrent thromboembolic events were investigated only on a small scale.

estimating the cumulative incidence of recurrent venous thromboembolism after a first episode of venous thromboembolism, identification of risk factors for recurrent venous thromboembolism, of the optimal methods of diagnosis and establish a proper treatment protocol.

we conducted a prospective study for 2 years on 401 patients with objectively verified symptomatic VTE. Medical records were reviewed for all patients during follow-up and episodes of recurrent thromboembolism were recorded.

the incidence of recurrent venous thromboembolic events at 2 years was 16.54% after a first episode of VTE. The incidence of fatal pulmonary embolism after 2 years was 4.54%. Proximal deep venous thrombosis (DVT), malignancy and history of venous thromboembolism predict an increased risk of recurrent events. Postoperative DVT and long-term oral anticoagulant treatment involve a lower risk of recurrent events. Sex, age, initial antithrombotic therapy or immobilization did not affect the risk of a recurrent event. Correctly managed anticoagulant therapy decreases the reccurency rate.

The recurrence rate after a symptomatic DVT is high. Patients with proximal DVT; diagnosed cancer, short-term oral anticoagulant treatment or a history of thromboembolic events had a higher risk of recurrent events, while patients with postoperative DVT, but without neoplasia had a lower recurrence rate.