title: Prophylaxis for deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in the surgical patient.
abstract: The fifth American College of Chest Physicians Consensus Conference on Antithrombotic Therapy provides the most up-to-date guidelines for the prevention of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in the surgical patient (1). These recommendations have become a major guideline for clinicians managing patients in the perioperative period. Despite these recommendations, there remains a concern for balancing the risk of major postoperative bleeding with the benefit of preventing thrombosis. In an attempt to resolve this issue, clinicians have requested clear-cut guidelines for identification of high-risk groups for whom prophylaxis must be used. This article will review the etiology, risk-factor stratification, regimens of prophylaxis, and recommendations for prevention of postoperative DVT and PE.
authors.affiliation: Division of Internal Medicine, Thomas Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Merli
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants