Prophylaxis strategies for patients with acute venous thromboembolism.

Pulmonary embolism is one of the most common causes of unexpected death in hospitalized patients and one of the top diseases leading to medical malpractice lawsuits. In order to effectively prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE), physicians must assess patients' risk factors and stratify their risk accordingly. Studies show general medical patients are most likely to suffer from deep vein thrombosis. Research also indicates that once-daily prophylaxis of such patients with 40 mg of the low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) enoxaparin is at least as effective or more effective as prophylaxis with unfractionated heparin, and may be preferable in some populations. It is now being recommended that hospitals develop formal strategies that address the prevention of thromboembolic complications and that general medical patients at risk of VTE receive unfractionated heparin or LMWH.