Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 1, 2026
06:45
Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Screening for Proximal Lower Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis
Published on: February 10, 2023
18.5K
Venous thromboembolism in critically ill children
Lee A Polikoff1, E Vincent S Faustino
1Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
Current Opinion in Pediatrics
|April 16, 2014
Summary
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a growing concern in critically ill children, with limited pediatric-specific guidelines. Further research and risk assessment tools are crucial for early identification and treatment of VTE in this population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
- Hematology
- Thrombosis Research
Background:
- Critically ill children face an elevated risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) due to their underlying conditions and treatments.
- A complex interplay exists between infection and thrombosis, where thrombi can harbor infection and infection elevates VTE risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current scientific literature concerning venous thromboembolism (VTE) in critically ill pediatric patients.
- To highlight the increasing concern and complications associated with VTE in pediatric critical care settings.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current studies on VTE in critically ill children.
- Analysis of existing data and guidelines, noting their adult-centric basis.
- Examination of emerging risk assessment tools and novel anticoagulant research.
Main Results:
- Critically ill children are at significant risk for VTE, influenced by medical treatments and underlying diseases.
- Current pediatric VTE guidelines are lacking, relying on adult data; novel anticoagulants are under investigation for pediatric use.
- Development of risk assessment tools and identification of biomarkers are ongoing to predict VTE in this population.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric critical care providers must recognize the significance of VTE for timely diagnosis and management.
- There is a critical need for robust clinical trials to establish evidence-based guidelines for pediatric VTE prevention and treatment.
- Biomarker-integrated risk assessment tools hold promise for improving VTE prediction in critically ill children.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
749
Diagnosing Pulmonary EmbolismDiagnosing pulmonary embolism (PE) involves clinical assessment and advanced imaging tests. The preferred diagnostic tool is the spiral (helical) CT scan or CT angiography (CTA), which uses intravenous contrast media to visualize the pulmonary vasculature and identify emboli.A ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan is an alternative for patients unable to receive contrast media. This scan includes both perfusion and ventilation scanning. Perfusion scanning involves...
749
01:29Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
482
Venous thrombosis requires effective prevention and treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes and reduce potential complications.Prevention StrategiesHealthcare providers must prioritize preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) for all adult patients upon admission. Interventions depend on bleeding and thrombosis risk, medical history, current medications, diagnoses, planned procedures, and patient preferences. Patients on bed rest should change positions every two hours and, if not...
482
01:27Pulmonary Embolism III: Nursing Management
756
A pulmonary embolism occurs when a thrombus, amniotic fluid, tumor tissue, fat, or air embolus blocks one or more pulmonary arteries. Effective nursing management and patient education are crucial for improving outcomes and preventing recurrence.Nursing management starts with obtaining a comprehensive patient history, particularly noting any history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Assess for clinical manifestations, including dyspnea, chest pain, crackles, heart murmurs, and signs of right-sided...
756
01:30Venous Thrombosis IV: Nursing Management
415
Nursing management begins with a thorough assessment of the patient's health history. Key factors include trauma to veins, peripherally inserted central catheters, varicose veins, recent pregnancy or childbirth, surgery, bacteremia, prolonged bed rest, atrial fibrillation, COPD, heart failure, cancer, coagulation disorders, myocardial infarction, spinal cord injury, stroke, prolonged travel, recent bone fractures, and dehydration. Review medication intake, particularly oral contraceptives,...
415
01:20Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
469
The key difference between Superficial Vein Thrombosis (SVT) and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) lies in their location and severity.Clinical ManifestationsSVT typically presents with localized pain, tenderness, and redness along the course of a superficial vein, often accompanied by a palpable, cord-like structure under the skin. This condition is usually less dangerous than DVT but can be uncomfortable and may lead to complications such as cellulitis or, rarely, a clot extension into the deep...
469
01:19Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction
39
A blood clot, or thrombus, is a semi-solid mass composed of fibrin, platelets, and red blood cells. When it forms within a vessel, it can obstruct blood flow, known as thrombosis. If part of the clot detaches, it becomes an embolus that can travel and block distant vessels. When this occurs in the pulmonary arteries, it causes a condition known as pulmonary embolism (PE).Origin and ImpactMost often, the embolus originates from a thrombus in the deep veins of the lower limbs, a condition called...
39