Lower-Extremity Fractures or Recent Surgery Greatly Increases Risk for VTE

The risk associated with fractures and surgery was manyfold higher than the risk associated with factors such as obesity, comorbid illness, and oral contraceptive use.

In a prospective cohort study, researchers assessed the incidence of and risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in the general U.K. population. Among 1.8 million people enrolled in the General Practice Research Database and followed for 8.8 million person-years, 6550 had a new diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or both.

The overall incidence of VTE was 74.5 cases per 100,000 person-years. The incidence increased strikingly with age. Fracture of a lower extremity was strongly associated with development of VTE during the next month (odds ratios, 69.4 for hip fractures and 33.2 for other lower-extremity fractures). Surgery was also a strong predictor for developing VTE, particularly within the first month after the…

Reviewing Author

J. Stephen Bohan, MD, MS, FACP, FACEP

Disclosures

RoyaltiesKlint Law Firm

Editorial boardsCritical Decisions in Emergency Medicine

J. Stephen Bohan, MD, MS, FACP, FACEP

Disclosures

RoyaltiesKlint Law Firm

Editorial boardsCritical Decisions in Emergency Medicine