Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism: A Single Disease Entity With Different Risk Factors?

摘要

In recent years, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonarynembolism, its major complication, have beennincreasingly considered as a single disease entity,nnamely venous thromboembolism. Indeed, both autopsic1nand clinical studies2 have shown that approximatelyn90% of pulmonary emboli arise from thendeep veins of the lower limbs. Moreover, an asymptomaticnpulmonary embolism can be found in aboutnhalf the patients presenting with a symptomaticnproximal deep vein thrombosis.3 Finally, deep veinnthrombosis and pulmonary embolism share manynrisk factors, such as age, major surgery or trauma,ncancer, immobilization, pregnancy, oral contraceptives,nand hormone replacement therapy.