title: Epidemiology and pathophysiology of venous thromboembolism: similarities with atherothrombosis and the role of inflammation.
abstract: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a multifactorial disease. Major provoking factors (e. g. surgery, cancer, major trauma, and immobilisation) are identified in 50-60 % of patients, while the remaining cases are classified as unprovoked. However, minor predisposing conditions may be detectable in these patients, possibly concurring to the pathophysiology of the disease, especially when co-existing. In recent years, the role of chronic inflammatory disorders, infectious diseases and traditional cardiovascular risk factors has been extensively investigated. Inflammation, with its underlying prothrombotic state, could be the potential link between these risk factors, as well as the explanation for the reported association between arterial and venous thromboembolic events.
authors.forename: Nicoletta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Riva
authors.forename: Marco P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Donadini
authors.affiliation: Walter Ageno, Short Medical Stay Unit and Thrombosis Center, Ospedale di Circolo, Viale Borri 57, 21100 Varese, Italy, Tel.: +39 0332 393564, Fax: +39 0332 393640, E-mail: walter.ageno@uninsubria.it.
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ageno
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001777:Blood Coagulation; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000276:immunology; D011379:Prognosis; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D015398:Signal Transduction; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D018836:Inflammation Mediators
keywords: Venous thromboembolism; atherothrombosis; etiopathogenesis; inflammation