Deep venous thrombosis: implications for orthopaedic nursing

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and its complications, pulmonary embolism (PE), and postphlebitic syndrome (PPS) affect millions of Americans. The risk is especially high in surgical patients in general, and orthopaedic patients in particular. Virchow's triad describes the three factors that affect coagulation within a blood vessel: stasis, vessel injury, and coagulation factors. Risk factors, which relate to these factors, can predict which patients will be most likely to develop DVT. Prophylactic regimens should be tailored to patient risk. Nursing care is the key to implementation, maintenance, and compliance with any prophylactic program and its ultimate success.