Diagnostic Approach to Deep Venous Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism in the Critical Care Setting

Estimates of the incidence and case-fatality rates of venous thromboembolism in the United States vary widely owing to limitations in the accuracy of clinical diagnosis and the dearth of autopsy data. Even the most conservative estimate, however, would suggest an incidence of 200,000 episodes of venous thromboembolism annually in the United States, resulting in approximately 30,000 to 50,000 deaths. 1 Anderson Jr, F.A. Wheeler H.B. Goldberg R.J. et al. A population-based perspective of the hospital incidence and case-fatality rates of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism The Worcester DVT Study. Arch Intern Med. 1991; 151: 933-938 Crossref PubMed Scopus (2142) Google Scholar , 2 Gillum R.F. Pulmonary embolism and thrombophlebitis in the United States, 1970–1985. Am Heart J. 1987; 114: 1262-1264 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (145) Google Scholar