Venous thromboembolism in the patient with acute traumatic brain injury: screening, diagnosis, prophylaxis, and treatment issues

Venous thromboembolism is a life-threatening complication of traumatic brain injury. Consequently, knowledge of available screening, diagnostic, prophylactic, and treatment methods is critical to the management of the individual with traumatic brain injury. Venous thromboembolic risk varies among individuals, resulting in unique screening and prophylactic needs for each patient. In addition, anticoagulation, commonly employed for prophylaxis and treatment in other patient populations, may create an increased risk for intracranial hemorrhage when utilized following traumatic brain injury. The cost, sensitivity, specificity, efficacy, potential side effects, and alternatives for preventing, detecting, and treating venous thromboembolism are important considerations discussed in this article.