Venous Thromboembolic Disease (VTED)

VTED occurs when one or more elements of Virchow's triad are present, resulting in deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and/or pulmonary embolism (PE). The triad is: vascular injury, venous stasis, and a hypercoagulable state (decreased protein C, protein S, or antithrombin). Annual VTE events exceed 600,000, with about 296,370 deaths.

Every risk factor for clotting maps onto one leg of Virchow's triad. Understanding the triad explains why surgery, immobility, and cancer all raise VTE risk.

📖 “VTED = Virchow's triad (vascular injury, venous stasis, hypercoagulable state: low protein C/S or antithrombin) -> DVT and/or PE. >600,000 VTE events/year, ~296,370 deaths. Risk: surgery, trauma, immobility, malignancy, estrogen, age >40, pregnancy.”