Venous Thromboembolism
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...
...tion Statements...
...1. Advocate for a culture of mobili...
...uring initial interview and physical exa...
.... When a patient presents with conditions (i...
...ent 4. When a patient is identified as high ris...
...ement 5. When a patient presents with pain, t...
...tatement 6. When a patient prese...
...tatement 7. When a patient presents with...
...8. When a patient presents with a re...
...atement 9. With a recently diagnosed VTE tr...
...10. When a patient with a recentl...
...nt 11. When a patient with a recently diagnosed...
...When a patient has a newly diagnosed LE DVT, do...
...When a patient has an inferior vena cava (...
...tement 14. When a patient presents w...
...tatement 15. When a patient with a non-massi...
...16. When a patient presents with a mass...
...When a patient with a documented VTE...
...18. When a patient presents with long-...
...9. When a patient presents with signs and symptoms...
...Prediction ScoreHaving trouble viewing table? Expa...
...orana Risk ScoreHaving trouble viewing table? E...
...3. Wells Criteria for the Prediction of De...
...e 4. The Revised Geneva Clinical Pred...
...Current Anticoagulation Options for VTE Treatmen...
...Term Medical Management of Venous Thr...
...Factors of Increased Bleeding...
...ion of Hemodynamic InstabilityHaving trouble...
Table 9. HAS-BLED ScoreHaving trouble viewing tabl...
...10. Classification of PE and Risk of Early (in-...
...s for a Suspected UE or LE Deep Vein Thromb...
...ure 2. Constans Cri...
...ilization with an Acute UE or LE DVT Based on A...
Table 11. Risk of Recurrent VTEHaving trouble vie...