title: [Challenges in prevention venous thromboembolism: critical ill patient approach].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Venous thromboembolism (VTE), with includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), is a common complication in critically ill patients, resulting in high morbidity and mortality.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Most patients treated in intensive care units (ICU) face a high risk of thromboembolic complications. Despite these considerations, the prevention of VTE may not be as high a priority in ICU patients as it is in other high-risk patient groups. Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) may be the optimal prophylaxis in most ICU patients, but there is a lack of sufficient data including the paucity of VTE consensus and guidelines documents pertaining to critically ill patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This article reviews background, current options, and recommendations regarding VTE in intensive care population emphasizing special diagnostic and treatment considerations in the ICU setting.
authors.affiliation: Instituto do Coração, HCFMUSP.
authors.forename: Marcelo Andrade
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal Fluminense.
authors.forename: Pedro Garbes
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Netto
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo.
authors.forename: Silvia Gelas
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Lage