title: Prevention of thrombosis with warfarin, aspirin, and mechanical methods.
abstract: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a serious disorder and a major cause of morbidity and mortality among acutely ill medical patients. However, despite the growing number of patients with acute medical illnesses who have an associated risk of VTE, the widespread use of VTE prophylaxis does not yet occur for both surgical and nonsurgical patients. Although individuals at greatest risk for VTE include patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery and those with medical conditions that require prolonged immobilization, all patients who have acute medical illnesses should be considered for VTE prophylaxis. Several strategies, including various mechanical and pharmacologic approaches, are currently used for VTE prophylaxis. Increased awareness about the full range of options for VTE prophylaxis can help health care providers select the appropriate course of action to help reduce the incidence of VTE among patients with acute medical illnesses.
authors.affiliation: Division of Internal Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA. geno.merli@jefferson.edu
authors.forename: Geno J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Merli
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001458:Bandages; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000627:therapeutic use; D048228:Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Devices; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016306:Vena Cava Filters; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D014859:Warfarin; D001241:Aspirin