A history of the diagnosis and treatment of venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

The history of venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism echoes the naes of Harvey, Virchow, Margagni, Lannec, Trendelenberg, Ochsner DeBakey, Murray and many other famous figures in medicine. Through anatomical observation, physiologic experimentation, and laboratory or clinical investigation, they individually and collectively contributed to our current knowledge and approach to the treatment of these common and often life-threatening maladies. This article chronicles the important historical milestones in the understanding and development of current surgical and medical management of thromboembolic disease.