The epidemiology of venous thromboembolism

• Published in: Journal of thrombosis and thrombolysis Vol. 41; no. 1; pp. 3 - 14
• Main Authors: Heit, John A., Spencer, Frederick A., White, Richard H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.01.2016; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Cardiology; Female; Hematology; Humans; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular - blood; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular - epidemiology; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular - etiology; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular - therapy; Pulmonary Embolism - blood; Pulmonary Embolism - epidemiology; Pulmonary Embolism - therapy; Thromboembolism - blood; Thromboembolism - epidemiology; Thromboembolism - etiology; Thromboembolism - therapy; Venous Thrombosis - blood; Venous Thrombosis - epidemiology; Venous Thrombosis - therapy; Pulmonary embolism; Deep vein thrombosis; Thrombophlebitis; Epidemiology; Venous thromboembolism
• ISSN: 0929-5305; 1573-742X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11239-015-1311-6

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is categorized by the U.S. Surgeon General as a major public health problem. VTE is relatively common and associated with reduced survival and substantial health-care costs, and recurs frequently. VTE is a complex (multifactorial) disease, involving interactions between acquired or inherited predispositions to thrombosis and VTE risk factors, including increasing patient age and obesity, hospitalization for surgery or acute illness, nursing-home confinement, active cancer, trauma or fracture, immobility or leg paresis, superficial vein thrombosis, and, in women, pregnancy and puerperium, oral contraception, and hormone therapy. Although independent VTE risk factors and predictors of VTE recurrence have been identified, and effective primary and secondary prophylaxis is available, the occurrence of VTE seems to be relatively constant, or even increasing.