Preventing venous thromboembolism

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) - a term that covers deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) - is a major killer in the US. Most hospitalized patients have one or more risk factors for VTE. Although less effective than anticoagulant drugs, mechanical methods of VTE prevention are safer f...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nursing management 2005-11, Vol.Suppl, p.24-25
Main Author: Bartley, Marilynn Kyritsis
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Blood clots
Compression therapy
Humans
Medical diagnosis
Medical disorders
Medical treatment
Nurse's Role
Nursing
Nursing Assessment
Patient Education as Topic
Perioperative Care - methods
Perioperative Care - nursing
Postoperative Complications - etiology
Postoperative Complications - prevention & control
Prevention
Pulmonary arteries
Risk Factors
Surgery
Thromboembolism
Thromboembolism - etiology
Thromboembolism - prevention & control
Venous Thrombosis - etiology
Venous Thrombosis - prevention & control
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Summary:Venous thromboembolism (VTE) - a term that covers deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) - is a major killer in the US. Most hospitalized patients have one or more risk factors for VTE. Although less effective than anticoagulant drugs, mechanical methods of VTE prevention are safer for patients at high risk for bleeding. These include graduated compression stockings, intermittent pneumatic compression devices, and the venous foot pump. The most common physical finding of DVT is suddent swelling in one leg. Patients may complain of a dull ache in the calf that may worsen with ambulation, or they may say their legs feel heavy or tight. A patient needs to know his risk of developing a DVT, especially during long-distance travel.
ISSN:0744-6314
1538-8670