Venous Thromboembolism: Importance of Prevention Measures

Abstract

Introduction: Venous thromboembolism (VTE), including DVT and pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE), these diseases are common among hospitalized patients and can lead to late complications such as chronic pulmonary hypertension (CPH) and chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the result of thrombus formation in deep veins. It is most common in the lower extremities, but may involve the vena cava, internal jugular vein, and upper extremities. Thrombosis can cause partial or total occlusion of the deep venous system, the most serious direct complication being pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE), which occurs after the detachment of the thrombus and blockage of blood flow in the pulmonary artery, leading to cardiopulmonary events. VTE prevention is appropriate for surgical patients and hospitalized medical patients with limited mobility for three days or more and who have at least one genetic or acquired risk factor for VTE. Methodology: This is an integrative bibliographic review study where articles were searched from the beginning of August 2021 to September 2022, consulting the Research Portal of the Virtual Health Library (BVS), SciELO, LILACS, in their respective indexed databases, under the headings: Venous Thromboembolism and Disease Prevention and Patient Safety. Consistent with the proposed objective of the research, a number of 6 articles were grouped completely directed to the objectives of the study. Results and Discussion: At this first moment, after reading and analyzing the content present in the articles used as a source for this study, it was possible to observe that it is fundamental, even before thinking about performing a thromboprophylaxis, to carry out an evaluation model that allows stratification the risk of patients who are candidates for this procedure, allowing a systematization of this process and a better result as well. Furthermore, based on this information, in order to carry out an evaluation model for patients who are candidates for prophylaxis of thromboembolic events, it is important to take into account three main criteria, which are: hospital admission, transition between sectors and hospital discharge. potential bleeding risk should not be ruled out. In addition, it is important to institute a program related to thromboprophylaxis, but in this case the study refers to the fact of a systematization at the hospital level, as a guideline for the health professionals who work there, so that they can act in a uniform way, regardless of the professional who is in attendance, ensuring better patient care. Conclusion: It is important to point out that, even after the conclusion of the surveys exposed in the present study, there is still no consensus on whether or not to perform procedures whose purpose is thromboprophylaxis.