title: Pathophysiology of venous thrombosis, thrombophilia, and the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis-pulmonary embolism in the elderly.
abstract: This article reviews Virchow's triad to provide clinicians with the pathophysiologic basis for the development of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Armed with these data physicians should be vigilant of the development of VTE when these factors are present. The second clinical point is the appropriate need to evaluate elderly patients for primary or secondary thrombophilia. By using statistical probability and clinical history selected geriatric patients with VTE should be assessed for the etiology of their hypercoagulable state. Finally, evaluating symptomatic patients for VTE should be structured to use the appropriate testing to confirm the diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Internal Medicine, Jefferson Antithrombotic Therapy Service, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. geno.merli@jefferson.edu
authors.forename: Geno J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Merli
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010690:Phlebography / Q000379:methods; D010992:Plethysmography, Impedance / Q000379:methods; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D019851:Thrombophilia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology