Pathogenesis of Venous Thrombosis

Venous thromboembolism, ie, venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, represents a serious and potentially fatal complication for many sick, hospitalized patients, especially those who are bedridden for extended periods of time. But even nonhospitalized, ambulant patients and apparently healthy individuals may encounter this problem. The magnitude of this complication is difficult to assess since many venous thromboses and pulmonary emboli are clinically silent. In part, this is due to the lack of sensitivity and specificity of clinical diagnostic efforts. The diagnosis is highly dependent on the diagnostic procedures applied, and it is estimated that only 1% of the venous thromboses are clinically recognized. The incidence of fatal pulmonary embolism has been estimated as 200,000 patients annually in the United States alone. 1 Hirsh J Genton E Hull R. Venous thromboembolism. Grune and Stratton, New York1981 Google Scholar