Venous thromboembolism in young adults: Findings from the RIETE registry

Little is known on the clinical characteristics, risk factors and outcomes during anticoagulation in young patients with acute venous thromboembolism (VTE).

We used data from the RIETE (Registro Informatizado Enfermedad TromboEmbólica) registry to assess the clinical characteristics, risk factors and outcomes during anticoagulation in VTE patients aged 10-24 years. Data were separately analyzed according to initial presentation and gender.

Of 76,719 patients with VTE, 1571 (2.0%) were aged 10-24 years. Of these, 989 (63%) were women and 669 (43%) presented with pulmonary embolism (PE). Most women were using estrogens (680, 69%) or were pregnant (101, 10%), while 59% of men had unprovoked VTE. Women were more likely to present with PE (48% vs. 34%). The majority (87%) of PE patients had Sat O₂ levels ≥90% at baseline. The vast majority (97%) of PE patients were at low risk according to the PESI score, many (90%) at very low risk. During the course of anticoagulation (median, 192 days), 40 patients had VTE recurrences, 17 had major bleeding and 10 died (3 died of PE). Women had as many VTE recurrences as major bleeds (15 vs. 14 events), while men had many more VTE recurrences than major bleeding (25 vs. 3 events).

VTE is associated with low risk of short-term mortality in young adults. Noticeable gender differences exist in the risk factor profile and the risk of VTE recurrences and major bleeding in the course of anticoagulation.