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

...agement...

...y Action State...

...1. Advocate for a culture of mobilit...

...tatement 2. During initial interview an...

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

...When a patient is identified as hig...

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

...ment 6. When a patient present wi...

...7. When a patient presents with dyspnea, chest pa...

...atement 8. When a patient presents with a r...

...nt 9. With a recently diagnosed VTE treated ph...

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

...ment 11. When a patient with a recently diagnose...

...ement 12. When a patient has a newly diagnos...

...t 13. When a patient has an inferior ve...

...tatement 14. When a patient presen...

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

...tatement 16. When a patient presents with a m...

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

...18. When a patient presents with long-term c...

...ement 19. When a patient present...


...rediction ScoreHaving trouble viewing table?...


...Khorana Risk ScoreHaving trouble view...


...ls Criteria for the Prediction of De...


...ised Geneva Clinical Prediction RuleHaving troub...


...e 5. Current Anticoagulation Options for VTE Tr...


...erm Medical Management of Venous T...


...Risk Factors of Increased Bleeding...


...efinition of Hemodynamic InstabilityHaving...


.... HAS-BLED ScoreHaving trouble viewing table?...


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


Figure 1. Actions for a Suspected...


...Constans Criteria...


...zation with an Acute UE or LE DVT Based on Ant...


Table 11. Risk of Recurrent VTEHavin...