Venous Thromboembolism

Publication Date: May 13, 2022

Key Points

Key Points

  • Physical therapists should play a significant role in identifying patients who are at high risk for a venous thromboembolism (VTE). Once these individuals are identified, preventive measures such as referral for medication, initiation of activity or mobilization, and education should be implemented to decrease the risk of a first or reoccurring VTE.
  • Physical therapists should be aware of the signs and symptoms of an VTE.
    • When signs and symptoms are present, the likelihood of a VTE should be determined through the standardized tools, and the results shared with the interprofessional team to consider treatment options.
  • In patients with a diagnosed upper extremity (UE) or lower extremity (LE) deep vein thrombosis (DVT), once a medication’s therapeutic levels or an acceptable time period has been reached after administration, mobilization should begin.
    • Although there are risks associated with mobilization, the risk of inactivity is greater.
  • In patients with a diagnosed pulmonary embolism (PE), mobility should begin as soon as the patient is medically stable and the medication administered has either reached therapeutic levels or an acceptable time period has passed.
  • Complications following VTE can continue for years or even a lifetime. Physical therapists can help decrease these complications through education, mechanical compression, and exercise.

Management

...anagement...

...y Action State...

.... Advocate for a culture of mobility and physic...

...2. During initial interview and physica...

...When a patient presents with conditions (i...

Statement 4. When a patient is ident...

...5. When a patient presents with p...

.... When a patient present with clinical symptoms in...

...hen a patient presents with dyspnea, chest pai...

...tement 8. When a patient present...

...ent 9. With a recently diagnosed V...

...tement 10. When a patient with a recently di...

Statement 11. When a patient wit...

Statement 12. When a patient has a...

...13. When a patient has an inferior vena cava...

.... When a patient presents with a documented LE...

...15. When a patient with a non-massive, low-risk...

...16. When a patient presents with a massive...

...When a patient with a documented VT...

...18. When a patient presents with long-te...

...atement 19. When a patient presents with signs...


...ua Prediction ScoreHaving trouble viewing table?...


...Khorana Risk ScoreHaving trouble viewing table?...


...ble 3. Wells Criteria for the Prediction...


...evised Geneva Clinical Prediction RuleHavi...


...urrent Anticoagulation Options for VTE Tre...


.... Long Term Medical Management of Venous Th...


...le 7. Risk Factors of Increased Bleeding...


...le 8. Definition of Hemodynamic InstabilityHavin...


...e 9. HAS-BLED ScoreHaving trouble vie...


...ble 10. Classification of PE and Risk of Early (...


...s for a Suspected UE or LE Deep Vein Thrombo...


Figure 2. Constans Criter...


...3. Mobilization with an Acute UE or LE...


...able 11. Risk of Recurrent VTEHaving troubl...