Thromboembolism--an important manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease.

Thromboembolism is an extraintestinal manifestation and an important cause of mortality in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The risk of thromboembolism appears to be multifactorial and related to mucosal inflammatory activity in most patients. Various laboratory markers such as thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) levels have been linked with thrombophilia in IBD but no single laboratory marker has emerged with sufficient predictive value to identify patients at particular risk. Prospective multifactorial analyses will be required; in the interim, clinicians must be vigilant and address common risk factors for thromboembolism in all patients with IBD.