Venous Thromboembolism: classification, risk factors, diagnosis and management

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is categorised as deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). VTE is associated with high morbidity and causes a huge financial burden on patients, hospitals and governments. Both acquired and hereditary risks factors contribute to VTE. To diagnose VTE, non-invasive cost-effective diagnostic algorithms including clinical probability assessment and D-dimer measurement may be employed follow up by compression ultrasonography for suspected DVT patients and multidetector computed tomography anogiography for suspected PE patients. There are pharmacological and mechanical interventions to manage and prevent VTE. The pharmacological approaches mainly target pathways in coagulation cascade nonspecifically: conventional anticoagulants, or specifically: new generation of anticoagulants. Excess bleeding is one of the major risk factors for pharmacological interventions. Hence, nonpharmacological or mechanical approaches such as inferior vena cava filters, graduated compression stockings and intermittent pneumatic compression devices in combination with pharmacological interventions or alone may be a good approach to manage VTE.