Quantification of risk factors for venous thromboembolism: a preliminary study for the development of a risk assessment tool.
OBJECTIVE
Venous thromboembolism is a frequent and serious disorder influenced by numerous factors. As the first step in creating a tool to assess an individual patient's risk of venous thromboembolism, we carried out a literature review in order to quantify risk factors for venous thromboembolism.


METHODS
Risk factors were identified as being either predisposing, that is, those risks presented by a patient prior to hospital admission, or exposing, that is, those risks occurring when a patient is hospitalized for a certain medical condition or surgical procedure. Predisposing risk factors were classified with regard to the patients' characteristics (including general characteristics and inherent risk factors), and recent and chronic clinical conditions.


RESULTS
The major predisposing factors among the patients' characteristics were age, hormonal therapy and personal history of venous thromboembolism, along with inherited coagulation factor abnormalities. Clinical situations associated with the highest risk of venous thromboembolism were recent surgery, hospitalization for medical conditions and immobilization, moderate to severe congestive heart failure, and malignancy.


CONCLUSIONS
This literature review will assist in the development of a suitable risk assessment tool for aiding healthcare professionals to decide whether to employ thromboprophylaxis, and, if so, to select the appropriate type and duration of prophylaxis.
Samama
Meyer Michel
MM
Service d'Hématologie Biologique, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu, 1, place Parvis Notre-Dame, F-75181 Paris, Cedex 04, France. m.samama@lablcl.com
Dahl
Ola E
OE
Quinlan
Daniel J
DJ
Mismetti
Patrick
P
Rosencher
Nadia
N
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors / Q000235:genetics; D001789:Blood Group Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D007103:Immobilization / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D019851:Thrombophilia / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control
D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors; D001789:Blood Group Antigens; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D001241:Aspirin