Management of venous thromboembolism

Venous thromboembolism is a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in immobilized elderly patients. Once thrombosis exists, heparin is effective to arrest the process, and occasionally thrombolytic therapy with urokinase or streptokinase is indicated to accelerate lysis. Thrombosis may be prevented by one or a variety of prophylactic measures which should be applied in high-risk patients.