Box 1Risk factors for VTE

  • Active cancer or cancer treatment
  • Age over 60 years
  • Critical care admission
  • Dehydration
  • Known thrombophilias
  • Obesity (BMI over 30 kg/m2)
  • One or more significant medical comorbidities (for example: heart disease; metabolic, endocrine or respiratory pathologies; acute infectious diseases; inflammatory conditions)
  • Personal history or first-degree relative with a history of VTE
  • Use of hormone replacement therapy
  • Use of oestrogen-containing contraceptive therapy
  • Varicose veins with phlebitis

For women who are pregnant or have given birth within the previous 6 weeks see Chapter 30 (Pregnancy and 6 weeks post partum)

From: 31, Patients requiring antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants for other reasons

Cover of Venous Thromboembolism
Venous Thromboembolism: Reducing the Risk of Venous Thromboembolism (Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism) in Patients Admitted to Hospital.
NICE Clinical Guidelines, No. 92.
National Clinical Guideline Centre – Acute and Chronic Conditions (UK).
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