Epidemiology of venous thromboembolic disease.

From the information presented in this article, it can be concluded that clinical suspicion of VTE should be increased in patients with a history of VTE, recent surgery, spinal cord injury, trauma, or malignancy. A variety of medical illnesses also increase the risk of venous thrombosis, including congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, stroke with paresis, nephrotic syndrome, cigarette smoking, and obesity. Hypercoagulable states, such as antithrombin III deficiency, protein C deficiency, protein S deficiency, or factor V Leiden mutation should be considered in those patients who develop VTE in the absence of known risk factors. Additionally, the presence of vena caval filters does not exclude the possibility of PE or recurrent DVT. With a careful assessment of risk, physicians can hope to increase the diagnostic yield of VTE and decrease the significant morbidity and mortality of caused by this disease.