The signs and symptoms of VTE

Patients with VTE often present initially in primary care. Many of the signs and symptoms, as shown in the figure below, are non-specific and may vary from patient to patient.^1,2 As VTE can cause serious long-term consequences and may be fatal if they lead to a PE,³ you should have a high index of suspicion for VTE when encountering any of these signs or symptoms. Further investigations are needed to rule out or diagnose suspected DVT.⁴ Complex or emergency cases, including patients with suspected PE, should be referred urgently.^5,6

[References for image: 1. Moll S Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2008;28: 373–379. 2. Taylor Thompson B et al. Available at: http://www.uptodate.com/contents/pulmonary-embolism-beyond-the-basics. 5. NICE. CKS. Deep vein thrombosis. Accessed August 2019. Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/deep-vein-thrombosis. 7. Pai M et al. Available at: http://www.uptodate.com/contents/deep-vein-thrombosis-dvt-beyond-the-basics. 8. Sekhri V et al. Arch Med Sci 2012; 8: 957-969]

In Managing VTE: Managing VTE | How do I diagnose DVT? | Managing DVT | What information and support can I give to my patients?

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Abbreviations

DVT = Deep Vein Thrombosis PE = Pulmonary Embolism VTE = Venous Thromboembolism

References

1. Moll S. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2008;28: 373–379.
2. Thompson B et al. Available at: http://www.uptodate.com/contents/pulmonary-embolism-beyond-the-basics.
3. NICE. Venous thromboembolic diseases: diagnosis, management and thrombophilia testing (CG144). November 2015. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg144. Accessed August 2019.
4. NICE. Diagnosing venous thromboembolism in primary, secondary and tertiary care (NICE Pathways). 2018. Available at: https://pathways.nice.org.uk/pathways/venous-thromboembolism/diagnosing-venous-thromboembolism-in-primary-secondary-and-tertiary-care. Accessed August 2019.
5. NICE. CKS. Deep vein thrombosis. Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/deep-vein-thrombosis. Accessed August 2019.
6. NICE. CKS. Pulmonary embolism. Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/pulmonary-embolism. Accessed August 2019.
7. Pai M et al. Available at: http://www.uptodate.com/contents/deep-vein-thrombosis-dvt-beyond-the-basics.
8. Sekhri V et al. Arch Med Sci 2012; 8: 957-969.

Job code: 432UK1900506-01
Date of preparation: September 2019