ABSTRACT
The rationale of thromboprophylaxis stems from the high incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in hospitalized patients, the clinically silent nature of this entity in a vast majority of patients, and the morbidity and potential mortality that can often be associated with it. There are few specific symptoms associated with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and VTE, thus making clinical diagnosis unreliable. Making appropriate diagnosis and implementing treatment of DVT prior to a potentially fatal embolic event or the potential sequelae and long-term morbidity of the postphlebitic syndrome is a difficult task in any hospitalized patient. In the setting of trauma, however, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of DVT and VTE become much more difficult.
KEYWORDS
Venous thrombosis - coagulation - trauma
