Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Deep Venous Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a term that includes both deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Considerable progress has been made in the understanding of the risk factors for VTE. The clinical applications of molecular techniques have facilitated identification of important inherited, yet not uncommon risk factors for VTE. Factor V Leiden (1 –5 ) and prothrombin G20210A mutation (6 –10 ) are among the most common. Such progress raised many questions regarding the need for and duration of anticoagulation.