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Interdisciplinary Concepts in Cardiovascular Health pp 147–159Cite as

Venous Thromboembolism: Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism

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Abstract

Venous thromboembolism, namely, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, are potentially life-threatening diseases requiring immediate exploration and anticoagulant therapy even when awaiting diagnostic procedures. Although awareness is increasing the all-cause mortality after 3 months associated with acute PE is up to 17 % as was shown in worldwide registries. To assure correct diagnosis of venous thromboembolism, clinical probability assessment usually with scoring systems like the Wells score is of importance. Recently novel oral anticoagulant drugs have been investigated as an alternative to the so far standard therapy with heparin treatment in the acute setting (or awaiting diagnostic results) followed by vitamin K antagonists. Those novel anticoagulant drugs are directed against thrombin or factor Xa and are currently under investigation for the treatment and prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism. However, in some patients, anticoagulant treatment might be impossible due to active bleeding or other absolute contraindications. In these patients, a transient interruption of the inferior vena cava with a vena cava filter device might be indicated to avoid life-threatening recurrence of pulmonary embolism.

This chapter will give the reader a brief overview of correct diagnosis, current treatment possibilities, and possible complications of venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 15, A-8036, Graz, Austria

    Thomas Gary & Marianne Brodmann

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  1. Thomas Gary
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  2. Marianne Brodmann
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Correspondence to Thomas Gary .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental and Preventi, Hyogo College of Medicine, Hyogo, Japan

    Ichiro Wakabayashi

  2. Institute of Biophysics, Medical University of Graz Center for Physiological Medicine, Graz, Austria

    Klaus Groschner

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Gary, T., Brodmann, M. (2014). Venous Thromboembolism: Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism. In: Wakabayashi, I., Groschner, K. (eds) Interdisciplinary Concepts in Cardiovascular Health. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-01074-8_7

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