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

...Management...

...atement 1. Advocate for a culture of...

...tement 2. During initial interview and physical...

...t 3. When a patient presents with condition...

...tement 4. When a patient is identified a...

...t 5. When a patient presents with pain, t...

...6. When a patient present with clinic...

...ment 7. When a patient presents with dyspn...

...8. When a patient presents with a rec...

...nt 9. With a recently diagnosed VTE tr...

...ement 10. When a patient with a recent...

.... When a patient with a recently dia...

...12. When a patient has a newly diagnosed L...

...ent 13. When a patient has an inf...

...14. When a patient presents with a docume...

...ment 15. When a patient with a non-m...

...When a patient presents with a massive or subm...

...7. When a patient with a documented VTE does n...

...When a patient presents with long-term consequen...

...atement 19. When a patient presents...


...Padua Prediction ScoreHaving trouble viewi...


...ana Risk ScoreHaving trouble viewing table? Exp...


...ble 3. Wells Criteria for the Predict...


.... The Revised Geneva Clinical Prediction RuleHav...


...5. Current Anticoagulation Options for VT...


...ong Term Medical Management of Venous Thromboembo...


...Table 7. Risk F...


...Definition of Hemodynamic Instability...


...AS-BLED ScoreHaving trouble viewing t...


...ification of PE and Risk of Early (in-hospita...


...1. Actions for a Suspected UE or LE Deep...


...re 2. Constans Criteri...


...ilization with an Acute UE or LE DVT Bas...


...11. Risk of Recurrent VTEHaving trouble viewing ta...