title: Prevention of venous thromboembolism in medical and surgical patients.
abstract: Prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism (VTE) should be considered in all hospitalized patients, as VTE is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the hospital. Although VTE risk is greatest and VTE prophylaxis is more established in surgical patients, most hospitalized medical patients have one or more risk factors for VTE and are candidates for prophylaxis. Selection of a prophylaxis strategy should be guided by the patient's risk factors for VTE and the risks associated with prophylaxis options. This review surveys evidence and recommendations for various VTE prophylaxis methods in medical and surgical patients.
authors.affiliation: Center for Research in the Implementation of Innovative Strategies in Practice, Iowa City VA Medical Center, Iowa, USA. peter-kaboli@uiowa.edu
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Kaboli
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brenner
authors.forename: Andrew S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Dunn
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001458:Bandages; D018890:Chemoprevention; D004434:Early Ambulation; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D001241:Aspirin