Cardinal Health

Preventing Venous Thromboembolism: A Healthcare Professional Guide to Intervention 23 Summary. VTE is the Most Preventable Cause of Death in Hospitalised Patients. All admitted patients should have a VTE risk assessment as part of their hospital admission, and they should receive optimal VTE prophylaxis according to their level of risk, and existing contraindications to prophylaxis. The choice of thromboprophylaxis should aim to address the 3 causal factors of VTE in Virchow’s Triad. The long term complications of VTE can have significant effects on patients quality of life. Prevention is key. Risk Factors Possible Complications Vessel Wall Damage Coagulation Changes Stasis Virchow’s Triad Vessel Wall Damage Coagulation Changes Stasis Virchow’s Triad 50% of DVTs are sympomatic DVT PE VTE 50% ofDVTsare symptomatic VesselWall Changes Coagulation Changes Stasis Virchow’s Triad DVT DVT PE VTE PE VTE