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

...nagement...

Key Action Stateme...

...dvocate for a culture of mobility and physi...

...2. During initial interview and physica...

...3. When a patient presents with conditio...

...tatement 4. When a patient is identified as hi...

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

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

Statement 7. When a patient presen...

...t 8. When a patient presents with a recently...

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

...10. When a patient with a recently diagnosed l...

...tatement 11. When a patient with a recently...

...12. When a patient has a newly diagnosed LE D...

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

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

...tement 15. When a patient with a non-massive,...

...6. When a patient presents with a massive or su...

...t 17. When a patient with a documented VTE...

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

...tatement 19. When a patient prese...


...Padua Prediction ScoreHaving trouble vie...


...le 2. Khorana Risk ScoreHaving troub...


...ble 3. Wells Criteria for the Predi...


...he Revised Geneva Clinical Prediction...


...rrent Anticoagulation Options for V...


...Term Medical Management of Venous Thromboembolism...


...ble 7. Risk Factors of Increased Bleeding...


...e 8. Definition of Hemodynamic Instab...


...HAS-BLED ScoreHaving trouble viewin...


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


...gure 1. Actions for a Suspected UE or L...


...gure 2. Constans Criteria


...3. Mobilization with an Acute UE o...


Table 11. Risk of Recurrent VTEHavi...