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30-year mortality after venous thromboembolism: a population-based cohort study
Kirstine Kobberøe Søgaard1, Morten Schmidt2, Lars Pedersen2
1From the Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark. kks@clin.au.dk.
Circulation
|June 28, 2014
Summary
Patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) face higher long-term mortality risks, particularly within the first year after diagnosis. This risk persists for 30 years, with VTE being a significant cause of death, though 30-day mortality has improved for pulmonary embolism.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Long-term mortality data following venous thromboembolism (VTE) are limited.
- VTE, encompassing deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), poses a significant health burden.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term mortality risks associated with first-time VTE over a 30-year period.
- To compare mortality rates in VTE patients with a matched general population cohort.
Main Methods:
- A nationwide, population-based cohort study in Denmark (1980-2011).
- Inclusion of 128,223 patients with first-time VTE and 640,760 matched controls.
- Utilized Danish medical databases and Cox regression analysis to determine mortality rate ratios (MRRs).
Main Results:
- VTE patients exhibited markedly higher mortality risks than controls, especially within 30 days and the first year post-diagnosis.
- Overall 30-year MRRs were 1.55 for DVT and 2.77 for PE.
- While 30-day DVT mortality remained stable, PE mortality significantly improved over three decades.
Conclusions:
- VTE patients face elevated mortality risks throughout a 30-year follow-up period.
- VTE is a substantial contributor to mortality, particularly in the initial year after diagnosis.
- Improvements in 30-day mortality for PE suggest advancements in care, while DVT mortality remains a concern.
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