VTE: a major cause of morbidity and mortality

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), comprising deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality worldwide.
  • VTE results in approximately 540,000 deaths per year in the EU46 and 300,000 deaths per year in the US89.
  • The immediate health threat and long-term consequences of VTE are widely underestimated.
    • Death occurs in 6% of all cases of DVT and 12% of all cases of PE90
    • Within 2 years after a DVT episode, as many as 22–40% of patients develop post-thrombotic syndrome – a condition that has a major impact on quality of life and healthcare burden91, 92

Cumulative Incidence


 

Source: Kahn SR et al.(2008)92

  • Patients remain at high risk of VTE recurrence even after initial anticoagulation treatment
    • For patients who have received anticoagulation treatment for up to 3 months for a first episode of DVT, the risk of VTE recurrence is approximately 18% after 2 years, 25% after 5 years and 30% after 8 years93
    • Approximately 10% of patients with DVT or PE will develop a recurrence even after receiving the recommended duration of anticoagulation therapy49, 94
    • The risk of recurrence remains and never falls to zero85

VTE should be considered a chronic disease rather than a short-term condition.90
DVT and PE treatment and prevention of recurrent VTE >
  • 46 - Cohen AT, Agnelli G, Anderson FA, et al; VTE Impact Assessment Group in Europe (VITAE). Venous thromboembolism (VTE) in Europe. The number of VTE events and associated morbidity and mortality. Thromb Haemost. 2007;98(4):756-764.
  • 89 - Heit JA, Cohen AT, Anderson FA, on behalf of the VTE Impact Assessment Group. Estimated annual number of incident and recurrent, non-fatal and fatal venous thromboembolism (VTE) events in the US. Blood (ASH Annual Meeting Abstracts) 2005;106. Abstract 910.
  • 90 - Mason C. Venous thromboembolism: a chronic illness. J Cardiovasc Nurs 2009;24:S4–S7.
  • 91 - Prandoni P, Lensing AWA, Cogo A et al. The long-term clinical course of acute deep venous thrombosis. Ann Intern Med 1996;125:1–7.
  • 92 - Kahn SR, Shrier I, Julian JA et al. Determinants and time course of the postthrombotic syndrome after acute deep venous thrombosis. Ann Intern Med 2008;149:698–707.
  • 93 - Agnelli G, Becattini C. Treatment of DVT: how long is enough and how do you predict recurrence. J Thromb Thrombolysis 2008;25:37–44.
  • 49 - Kearon C. Natural history of venous thromboembolism. Circulation. 2003;107(23 suppl 1):I22-I30.
  • 94 - Rodger MA, Kahn SR, Wells PS et al. Identifying unprovoked thromboembolism patients at low risk for recurrence who can discontinue anticoagulant therapy. CMAJ 2008;179:417–426.
  • 85 - Zhu T, Martinez I, Emmerich J. Venous thromboembolism: risk factors for recurrence. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2009;29:298–310.
Thrombosis
Formation of a clot inside a blood vessel.
Venous thromboembolism
A disease process beginning with a blood clot occurring within the venous system, including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
Deep vein thrombosis
A blood clot in a deep vein, usually resulting from damage to the vein or blood flow slowing down or stopping. Usually DVTs are found in the leg, but can also be in the arm. Distal DVTs are found in deep veins of the calf, and are the most common type of DVT. Proximal DVTs are found in the legs above the calf muscle up to the waist.
Pulmonary embolism
A potentially fatal condition caused by a blood clot blocking a vessel in the lung: usually the clot originates from a DVT in the legs. PE can result in permanent lung damage.

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