VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM

VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM

V enous thromboembolism (VTE) is an important condition within surgery , and autopsy studies suggest that it is the most common direct cause of death in surgical patients. V enous thrombosis is the formation of a semisolid coagulum within the venous system and may occur in the superficial system (super ficial vein thrombosis [SVT] or ‘thrombophlebitis’) or the deep system (deep vein thrombosis [DVT]). V enous thrombosis of the deep veins of the leg may be complicated by the immediate risk of pulmonary embolus and sudden death. Subsequently , patients are at risk of developing PTS ( Figure 62.30 venous ulceration. While DVT may occur in the upper limb, it is the leg that gives rise to the vast majority of the morbidity and subsequent complications of this condition.