Long-term Complications of Venous Thromboembolism: A Practical Guide

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), comprising deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the lower limbs and pulmonary embolism (PE), is associated with long-term functional impairment comparable to that seen after acute myocardial infarction or stroke. Disease management extends beyond the acute phase and requires attention to long-term complications. In PE survivors, the most frequent sequela is the post-pulmonary embolism syndrome, which includes chronic thromboembolic pulmonary disease, post-PE functional impairment, and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. In patients with DVT, post-thrombotic syndrome of the lower limbs is the predominant long-term complication, reaching severe forms in 5% to 10% of cases. This article summarizes current evidence on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of major long-term complications of VTE.