Chronic complications of venous thromboembolism

M-P Winter; G H Schernthaner; I M Lang

doi:10.1111/jth.13741

Chronic complications of venous thromboembolism

J Thromb Haemost. 2017 Aug;15(8):1531-1540. doi: 10.1111/jth.13741.

Authors

M-P Winter^{1

2}, G H Schernthaner³, I M Lang^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
² Division of Cardiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
³ Division of Angiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

PMID: 28762624
DOI: 10.1111/jth.13741

Abstract

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common disease (~700 per 100 000) that is associated with significant risk of recurrence, chronic complications, and substantial mortality, with reported death rates of up to 40% at 10 years. The development of novel anticoagulants has revolutionized the treatment of acute VTE, while strategies for prevention and treatment of chronic complications still seek for such a landmark change. Impaired thrombus resolution is the common denominator behind VTE complications, which are postthrombotic syndrome (PTS) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). PTS and CTEPH are associated with substantial morbidity and high healthcare expenses. While PTS occurs in up to 50% of patients after symptomatic deep vein thrombosis, only a small and poorly defined number of patients are diagnosed with CTEPH after pulmonary embolism. This review is a comprehensive summary of VTE-related chronic complications, their epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment.

Keywords: CTEPH; anticoagulants; postthrombotic syndrome; thrombosis; venous thromboembolism.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
Chronic Disease
Humans
Hypertension, Pulmonary / diagnosis
Hypertension, Pulmonary / etiology*
Hypertension, Pulmonary / mortality
Hypertension, Pulmonary / therapy
Postthrombotic Syndrome / diagnosis
Postthrombotic Syndrome / etiology*
Postthrombotic Syndrome / mortality
Postthrombotic Syndrome / therapy
Pulmonary Embolism / complications*
Pulmonary Embolism / diagnosis
Pulmonary Embolism / drug therapy
Pulmonary Embolism / mortality
Risk Factors
Treatment Outcome
Venous Thromboembolism / complications*
Venous Thromboembolism / diagnosis
Venous Thromboembolism / drug therapy
Venous Thromboembolism / mortality
Venous Thrombosis / complications*
Venous Thrombosis / diagnosis
Venous Thrombosis / drug therapy
Venous Thrombosis / mortality

Substances

Anticoagulants